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— — — 



THE 

LIFE AND WRITINGS 

OF 

RUFUS C. BURLESON 

D. D., LL. D. 



CONTAINING A BIOGRAPHY OF DR. BURLESON BY 

Hon. Harry Haynes 



FUNERAL OCCASION, WITH SERMON, ADDRESSES, 
RESOLUTIONS, ETC. 



SELECTED " CHAPEL TALKS, 



SELECTED ADDRESSES AND ARTICLES. 



DR. BURLESON AS A PREACHER 

WITH SELECTED SERMONS. 



MANY OF "THE OLD GUARD " SERIES OF 
BIOGRAPHIES. 



MANY ARTICLES ON TEXAS HISTORY. 



COMPILED AND PUBLISHED BY 



MRS. GEORGIA J. BURLESON 



1901 



TH€ LIBRARY G& 

CSONCtRES^ 
Two OofiVk Reoetvbb 

FEB, 24 1902 

©WVWGWT ENTRY 

CLASS £^XXa N» 
OOPY &. ' 



Entered according to act of Congress, in 
the year 1901, by Mrs. Georgia J. Burleson, in 
the office of the Librarian of Congress at Wash- 



ington. 



©e&icattom 

TO THE 

Pioneer Teachers, Preachers and Laymen, 

Who Struggled and Sacrificed to lay the 

Foundation of the Present 

Empire of Texas 

AND 

To the Ten Thousand Students of 
Dr. Burleson 

and the Thousands of Men and Women who have 

Gained Inspiration from His Life of 

Labor, this Book s 

Affectionately Dedicated by his Wife. 



PUBLISHER'S PREFACE 



For several years the students and friends of Dr. Burle- 
son, as well as the public in general, have been expecting a 
Memoir in which would be crystalized in book form, from his 
own hand, what he deemed most worthy of preservation in his 
long and eventful career. 

For many years he contemplated writing such a book. 
Hundreds of his friends have urged him not to put it off 
until — too late. 

But Dr. Burleson was a busy man. His time, his ener- 
gies, his life, were given to Baylor University, to the Baptists 
of Texas and to the whole country. These have received all 
of good his life could give. But the Memoir was never pub- 
lished. 

Many of his sermons and addresses were published in 
newspapers and magazines but they were never carefully pre- 
pared so as to be available for book use. This was left, alas ! 
to be done when he had leisure. 

He wrote hundreds of articles on Texas History, which 
were published in newspapers. But whatever may be said of 
Dr. Burleson's qualifications, penmanship was one, for which 
he never received commendation. This, coupled with the 
mistakes incident to the rush and hurry of newspaper work, 



Publisher's Preface. vii 

together with the fact that the "proof" was never corrected 
by him. is sufficient explanation of the typographical errors 
his published articles contain. 

This was the condition of his literary affairs when he 
was stricken of his last sad illness. 

By his last will and testament the task was imposed upon 
me of collecting and publishing such of his writings as might 
be deemed of benefit to his students and their descendants — ■ 
to Texas, which he loved so well. 

The responsibility was accepted as a sacred duty to the 
living as well as to the dead. 

The work is done, how well the reader will judge. 

In this great work I have been fortunate in two partic- 
ulars : 

First: In securing the services of the Hon. Harry 
Haynes to write Part I — -Biography of Dr. Burleson. Mr. 
Haynes was an early and devoted student of my late husband, 
as well as a warm personal friend. He possesses an extensive 
personal knowledge of Dr. Burleson's work in Texas. Mr. 
Haynes is a man of learning and a writer whose pen has made 
this section of the book one which will be of great interest to 
the reader, and one which needs no commendation at my 
hands. 

Second : In the providence of God, I have had the ser- 
vices of my son, Mr. Richard A. Burleson, who has given his 
entire time to the work of preparing and publishing this vol- 
ume. "While I have been the nominal and responsible pub- 
lisher, yet all the actual work and worry, both mental and 
financial have fallen upon him. He has left his business and 
given all his time and energy to the collecting of material, 
issuing circulars, making contracts, etc., etc., and has had 
entire charge of the work of getting the book in the hands of 
the agents and through them to the public. There are, of 
course, many mistakes which could not be avoided, yet what- 



viii Publisher's Preface. 

ever of credit may be due the publisher I hereby cheerfully 
award to him. 

I desire to call attention to the frequent repetition of the 
same facts, circumstances and illustrations in different articles : 
Especially in Texas History, in the ''Old Guard" Biographies 
and in the Anniversary Sermons. This condition would not 
exist had Dr. Burleson lived to write his own Memoirs. As 
the matter was left to me it was absolutely impossible to correct 
this without rewriting the entire work. This would have 
destroyed the individuality of Dr. Burleson simply to gain 
unity in the work. A favorite quotation with the Doctor was 
"Paint me as I am." So you have it as he wrote it. "Judge 
it as ye may." 

In conclusion, I value criticism. Any suggestions any 
one may see fit to make will be thankfully received and duly 
appreciated. 

Affectionately yours, 

GEOKGIA J. BUKLESOK 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 



PAET I — Biography of Dr. Burleson. 

Page 

Chapter I— Genealogy, General Remarks, Importance Attached 
to the Subject by Royal Families, Leads to Ancestral Wor- 
ship, Origin and Genealogy of the Burleson Family, Sir 
Edward Burleson, Aaron Burleson, General Ed. Burleson, 
Dr. R. C. Burleson 5 

Chapter II— Settlement of North Alabama, Desperate Resistance 
by Indian Tribes, Expeditions of Ponce DeLeon, Vasquez, 
Pamphilo, DeSoto, LaSalle, Iberville, Mississippi Scheme, 
Western Company, Tecumseh an Indian Warrior, Stirs the 
Tribes and Incites the War of 1813, Plan of His Warfare, 
General Government Appealed to, Heroic Settlers, Volun- 
teers Under General Andrew Jackson, Captain Jonathan 
Burleson Commands a Company, Close of the War, Immi- 
grants Pour into the Country 15 

Chapter III— Flint River, North Alabama, Home of Jonathan 
Burleson, Settles Here in 1814, Erects a Cabin, Opens a 
Farm, Raises a Large Family, Amasses a Fortune, Rufus C. 
Burleson Born August 7, 1823, Instructed by His Mother, 
Learns Rapidly, Incidents and Anecdotes of His Boyhood, 
Discovers a Cave, Plays Detective 24 

Chapter IV— Early Educational Advantages of North Alabama, 
Rufus Enters a District School, Rapid Advancement, At- 
tends Summerville Academy, School at Danville, Death of 
His Mother, Conversion and Baptism, Ambition to be a 
Lawyer, Impressions to Preach, Enters Nashville University, 
Licensed to Preach, Health Fails, Returns to His Father's 
Farm 83 

Chapter V — Young Rufus Anxious to Return to the Univer- 
sity at Nashville, His Father Objects, Fearing His Health 
Would Again Fail, Compromise, Teaches in Mississippi Five 
Years, First Contract, Called to the Pastorate, Ordination by 
the Catalpa Baptist Church, June 8th, 1845, Dr. Wm. Carey 
Crane Clerk of the Council 40 



x Table of Contents. 

Page 

Chaptee VI— Mr. Burleson Teaches in Mississippi from 1841 to 
1845, Pursues His Studies, Called to the Pastorate, Dr. Alex- 
ander Campbell, Wave of Religious Disaffection, Mr. Burle- 
son Enters the Field of Polemics, Doctrinal Sermons, 
Articles in the Tennessee Baptist, Meets W. H. Muse, a 
Classmate, a Warm Discussion, Formula for Killing Baptists, 
Resigns as Teacher and Pastor, Parting Between Preacher, 
Parishioner, Parent and Pupil 46 

Chapter VII— From Mayhew Prairie Mr. Burleson Returns to 
His Father's Farm, Reviews the Scenes of His Boyhood, 
Preaches to His Old Church, Bids Farewell to Family and 
Friends, Rides Away to Covington and Enters the Western 
Baptist Theological Seminary, Graduates June 8th, 1847, 
Consecrates His Life to Texas, Incidents While at the Semi- 
nary, Beautiful Story of Dr. William A. Ashmore, That Had 
Its Culmination in Texas, Southern People Slandered, 
Theological Student Resents It, Challenge Passed, a Duel . 
Arranged, Young Burleson Prevents It 53 

Chapter VIII— Mr. Burleson Applies for Appointment as Mis- 
sionary to Texas to the Missionary Board of the Southern 
Baptist Convention, Early Texas Missions, Mrs. Cole's State- 
ment, Baptist Preachers in Texas as Early as 1812, James R. 
Jenkins, A. Buffington, H. R. Cartmell, Birth of Organized 
Missions, Mr. Burleson's Services Accepted, Assigned to 
Duty at Gonzales, Studies Texas History, Character of the 
Early Missionaries 62 

Chapter IX— Rev. Wm. M. Tryon Called to the Houston Pastor- 
ate December 1st, 1845, Dies at Sundown November 16th, 
1847, Resolutions of the Houston Church, Mr. Burleson Ap- 
pointed to Succeed Him, Starts for Texas, Reflections En 
Route, Reaches New Orleans, Takes a Steamer and Arrives 
in Galveston January 5th, 1848, Meets Dr. J. F. Hillyer, 
Preaches His First Sermon in Texas From the Text, "For I 
Determined Not to Know Anything Among You Save Jesus 
Christ and Him Crucified" 69 

Chapter X— Mr. Burleson's Arrival in Houston, Meets a Cordial 
Reception, Confronted with Difficulties, Members Discour- 
aged, Disbanded Soldiers from Mexico, Gold Discovered in 
California, Excitement in Texas, People Restless, Revival in 
Galveston, Results, Rev. Noah Hill 75 

Chapter XI— Returns to Houston From Galveston Meeting, 
Prosecutes Church Work, Accessions, Fame as an Evangelist, 
Receives Many Invitations to Hold Meetings, Revival in Bren- 
ham, Congregation of One Man, Boys Try to Smoke Him Out, 
Devil With Hot Chain, Judge Baylor's Exhortation, New 
Years Creek Church, Forms an Arm at Brenham, Mr. Burle- 
son Presides Over the Conference, and is Elected First 
Pastor 83 



Table of Contents. xi 

Page: 

Chapter XII— Mr. Burleson's Estimate of the Pastorate, 
Authority of the Church, All Legislation, Canon, Creed or 
Decree not Authorized by the Word of God Rejected, Opposi- 
tion to a Union of Church and State, Indefinitely Called to 
Houston Pastorate, Dr. A. J. Gordon, Diversity of Minis- 
terial Gifts, Mr. Burleson Stricken with Yellow Fever. 
Cholera, Called to Pastorate at Huntsville, Ala., Declines, 
Visits Independence, Dr. H. L. Graves Resigns Presidency of 
Baylor University, Mr. Burleson Elected to Succeed Him, 
Sees Larger Opportunities for Usefulness and Accepts. Resign 
at Houston, Resolutions of the Church 91" 

Chapter XIII— Wisdom of Texas Pioneer Baptists in Founding 
Educational Institutions, Union Association Organized, Texas 
Baptist Education Society Formed, Objects Delayed by the 
Mexican Invasion, Baptist University Projected, Charter 
Issued by the Republic of Texas, Its Name, Beautiful Story of 
Rev. Wm. M. Tryon and Judge R. E. B. Baylor, Towns Com- 
peting for Location, School Located at Independence, Sub- 
scription List, Dr. Henry L. Graves First President 99 

Chapter XIV— Baylor University Born in a Storm, Santa Fe Ex- 
pedition, Somerville Campaign, Battle of Mier, Texas a New 
Country, Unsettled Conditions, Slow Progress of all Schools, 
Judge A. S. Lipscomb, Personal Popularity, Nominates Mr. 
Burleson for President, Providence Leading, Mr. Burleson's 
First Ambition, States Conditions of His Acceptance, State 
Convention, Mass Meeting, Confers with Other College Presi- 
dents, Outlines His Policy for Government of the School. . . . 110 

Chapter XV— First Session of Baylor Under Dr. Burleson's 
Presidency, Difficulties Encountered, School Reported to be 
Dead, Method of Correcting Report. Dr. Burleson a Born 
Advertiser, First Catalogue Issued, Rev. James Huckins Ap- 
pointed General Financial Agent, His Letter to the Trustees, 
President Burleson Impresses the Trustees with the Stupend- 
ous Work of Building a Great University 119 

Chapter XVI— Effects of the Revolutions Between Texas and 
Mexico in 1836 and Between the United States and Mexico 
in 1846 Still Perceptible, Mexicans Muttering, Texans on the 
Alert, Successful Canvass by the Financial Agent of Baylor 
in the States. His Report, Commences Work in Texas, Lonely 
Travels, Sleeps Under Trees, President Burleson's Compensa- 
tion for the First Year, Attendance 129 r 

Chapter XVII— Miss Georgia Jenkins, Birth, Comes to Texas 
with Her Father nT1836. Attends Judson Female Institute, 
Graduates with Honor. Temperance Demonstration in Old 
Washington. Marriage in j853, Bridal Tour to New Orleans, 
First Dinner at Home, Consulted by Her Husband on all 
Important Matters, Domestic Policy, Sacrifices and Struggles 
for the Cause of Education in Texas, Her Character 134 



xii Table of Contents. 

Page 

Chapter XVIII— Baylor Now a Real University, Every Facility 
for a Complete Education Offered, a College Code Adopted, 
Duties of the President and Trustees Defined, Admission of 
Students, Course of Instruction 142 

Chapter XIX— Close of the Fall Term of 1854, School in Prosper- 
ous Condition, Three Literary, and Several Secret Societies 
Formed, Society Demonstration, Address of Rev. R. H. Tala- 
ferro, President Burleson Unfavorably Impressed with the 
Effect of These Societies on the Student Body, Delivers a 
Lecture on the Subject in 1855, Which was Repeated and 
Elaborated Before the State Teachers' Association at El 
Paso in 1898, The El Paso Address, Hazing, The Practice 
Suppressed in Baylor University 150 

Chapter XX— Dr. Burleson's Foresight, Predicts Future of 
Texas and Baylor University in a Letter to His Brother, 
Richard, in 1854, Creation and Criticism, Similarity and Dis- 
similarity Between R. C. and R. B. Burleson, Baptism of 
General Sam Houston. Bapistry of Independence Church, 
Coffin Shaped, Filled With Logs, Place Changed, Descrip- 
tion of this Historic Spot, Photographed for the First Time, 
for This Volume, by Thomas A. Holland 158 

Chapter XXI— Baylor University From 1855 to 1880, Brilliant 
Faculty, Impressions Made on the Character of the Students, 
a Personal Testimony, Independence a Small Village, Board- 
ing Facilities Inadequate, Discontent Among Students, Presi- 
dent Burleson Erects a Three-story House, Two-story Annex, 
Assumes a Heavy Financial Obligation, Disastrous Drought 
in 1857, Affects Attendance, Storm of September 8th, 1900. . 169 

Chapter XXII— Facilities of the University Enlarged, Depart- 
ments of Law and Theology Established, Address of Judge 
James Jeffries, Faculty of the Law School, Reminiscences, 
Theological Department, Assumed No Great Proportions on 
Account of the War Between the States 175 

Chapter XXIII— Legal Relations of Baylor University to Texas 
Baptist State Convention, Committee Report, An Exhaustive 
Discussion, Logical Presentation, Conclusions 185 

Chapter XXIV— Chapel Talks, Subjects Discussed, Extract from 
a Student's Letter, Good Impressions Made, Detective Bird, 
Anecdotes and Incidents, A Carriage Ride, Takes a Nap, 
Breaks Up a Turkey Supper, A Primitive Elevator, Dr. Burle- 
son Pays a Reward for the Return of His Buggy, Declines 
the Noun Res, Builds a Gymnasium, Plays Hot Ball 204 

Chapter XXV— Controversy Between President Burleson and 
Principal of the Female Department, Called Before the Board 
of Trustees, Submitted Their Grievances in Writing, Each 
Appears in His Own Behalf, Findings of the Trustees, 
Accepted as Satisfactory, Stringent Resolutions of the Board, 
High. Regard of Trustees for Heads of Both Departments 213 



Table of Contexts. xiii 

Page 
Chapter XXVI— Controversy Between President Burleson and 
Prof. Clark Passes Beyond Their Control, Taken Up by 
Friends, Permeates tlie Entire Community, Publication of a 
Pamphlet Precipitates a Church Trial, Exciting Scenes, A 
Close Vote, General Houston Present, Meeting- Between 
General Houston and Dr. Burleson, Revival in the Independ- 
ence Church, Dr. Burleson's Triumph, Letters of the Faculty 
and Senior Class Sustaining Him, General Houston Pledges 
Dr. Burleson His Undying Devotion, Houston's Deposition by 
the Texas Legislature, Visits Independence to Confer With 
His Friend, Dr. Budeson 222 

Chapter XXVII— Resigns the Presidency of Baylor University 
at Independence, Letter to the Board of Trustees, Exalted 
Spirit Manifested by Dr. Burleson in Retiring from the 
School, Summary of Ten Years' Work at Independence 233 

Chapter XXVIII— Union Association Mother of the Convention, 
Appoints a Central Committee, Meeting Called, Convention 
Organized September 8th, 1848. at Anderson, List of Churches 
and Delegates, Dr. H. L. Graves, First President, Rufus C. 
Burleson First Corresponding Secretary, Other Officers, Con- 
stitution, Report of Committee on Establishing a Paper, 
Advise that Paper be Established, but Convention to Assume 
no Financial Responsibility, Character and Work of Conven- 
tion, and its Influence on the People of Texas 236 

Chapter XXIX— Dr. Burleson's Appearance in tlie State Con- 
vention, September 8th, 184S, Marks His Entrance Into Public 
Life in Texas, Report of Committee on Education, First Bap- 
tist Paper in Texas, Mr. Burleson Invites the Convention to 
Hold Second Session in Houston, Convention Met May 11th, 
1849, Re-elected Corresponding Secretary, Mr. Burleson's 
Report as Corresponding Secretary, List of Baptist Preachers 
in Texas in 1849, Conditions in 1849 and 1901 Compared. 
Early Texas Heroes and Heroines, Their Sacrifices Make 
Present Conditions Possible 246 

Chapter XXX— In 1852 Convention Meets in Marshall, 1853 in 
Huntsville, At Both Meetings Dr. Burleson Renews His 
Efforts for the Establishment of a Paper, His Report as Cor- 
responding Secretary, Reviews the Year's Work, Baylor Uni- 
versity, Meetings of the Board of Directors, J. W. D. Creath, 
His Consecration and Character, His Saddle Horse, John the 
Baptist, Dr. Burleson's Report for 1853, Work Encouraging 
Along All Lines, Special Committee Appointed to Visit Baylor 
University, President Burleson and Prof. Clark Made Honor- 
ary Members of the Convention - 256 



zxiv Table of Contents. 

Page 
-Chapter XXXI— Meeting of the State Convention in 1854, Bap- 
tist Affairs Reach the High Water Mark, Baylor University 
Reported by the Committee and Trustees to Be in a Flourish- 
ing Condition, Bounding Report of Rev. Isaac Parks on Minis- 
terial Education, Annual Report of Corresponding Secretary 
. Burleson, Last Official Report to the Convention, Tenders 
His Resignation to Devote Himself to the Interest of the 
School, Recommends Rev. J. B. Stiteler as His Successor, 
Rev. C. H. Stiteler Elected 284 

■Chapter XXXII— Importance of the Office of Corresponding Sec- 
retary, All Work Done Largely Under His Advice, Mr. Bur- 
leson Having no Precedents, Blazed His Own Way, Made His 
Own Path, Attends Meeting of the Union Association, Writes 
the Circular Letter, "Preaches the Introductory Sermon, De- 
livers the Semi-Centennial Address at Sealy in 1890, Return 
to Convention, Report of Committee on Education, Indian 
• Missions, Pioneers Thoroughly Saturated with the Spirit, 
Committee Appointed to Open Correspondence with the Boird 
of Managers of the American Indian Mission Association. . . . 272 

Chapter XXXIII — Convention Ready to Place Any Honor at Dr. 
Burleson's Command, Elected Vice-President in 1856, A Jubi- 
lee Session, Last Paragraph in the Proceedings, H. Clark 
and P. B. Chandler the only Known Survivors of These 
Early Conventions, Convention Adjourned to Meet in Cald- 
well, but Place Changed to Huntsville on Account of Severe 
Drought, Convention of 1857, General Houston a Delegate and 
Offers Report on Indian Missions, Romantic Chapter in Gen. 
Houston's Life, Lives with the Indians, Conversant with 
Indian Character, and Competent to Discuss Indian Missions, 
Dr. Burleson's Report and Resolution on Indian Missions, 
Dr. H. F. Buckner and His Consecrated Co-Laborers 282 

Chapter XXXIV— Texas Pathmakers Came in a Struggle, Lived 
Amid Conflict, Worked Without Means, and Built for All 
Time, Not Moved by the Courage of Cowards, but From a 
Sense of Duty and Love for Humanity, To Say They Were 
Not Successful Would Be to Brand a Thousand Records as 
Brazen Lies, Dr. Burleson Elected President of the Conven- 
tion in 1858, Re-elected in 1859, Rev. H. Garrett Reports 
Baylor Booming, New Buildings Erected, Dr. Burleson Takes 
a Vacation, Travels East, Visits the Mammoth Cave, Bottom- 
less Pit, Fat Man's Misery, Bunyan's Way, Echo River, 
Gorin's Dome, Methodist Church 291 



Table of Contexts. xv 

Page 

Chapter XXXV— Dr. Burleson's Dominating, Absorbing Purpose 
Was to Make Baylor University the Peer of Any Institu- 
tion of the Continent, A Man of Many Ideas, Interested in 
All Public Questions, Early Canvass for Railroads, Elected 
Vice-President at the Fifteenth Session of the State Conven- 
tion, Published Proceedings of State Convention in 1848 and 
1898, First Catalogue of Baylor University in 1852, and 
Catalogue of Same School in 1898 Compared, Curtain on First 
Era of Dr. Burleson's Life Dropped, Scene Shifted to Waco. 299 

Chapter XXXVI— Education in Texas Under Spanish Dominion 
and Mexican Rule, Population, Society, Missions, Revolution 
in Mexico, The Empire, Republic, Constitution of 1824, Pro- 
visions for Education Under the Federal Constitution, Con- 
stitution of Coahuila and Texas, Provisions for Public 
Schools in the State Constitution, The First American 
School, Report of Almonte, Efforts of the Colonists Toward 
Education, The First Female Academy in Texas, Independ- 
ence Academy, Baylor University, Description of a Mexican 
School in 1825, Character of the American Colonist, Gen. 
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, Revolt of the American Col- 
onists 303 

■Chapter XXXVII— Education in Texas Under the Republic, 
The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution of 1838, 
The First Congress of the Republic, Establishment of Schools, 
The First Charter of the Republic to Independence Academy, 
The Act to Establish a State University, President Lamar's 
Message on Education, Area of the Republic, Land Grants 
for Educational Purposes. Baylor University at Independ- 
ence, School at San Augustine 313 

■Chapter XXXVIII— Progress of Education in Texas Under 
State Rule, Annexation of Texas to the United States, Texas 
Retains Her . Unappropriated Public Domain, The Constitu- 
tion of 1845, Legislative Provision for Education, Dr. R. C. 
Burleson Arrives in Texas, The Civil War 1861 to 1865. The 
Constitution of Texas as a State in the Confederacy. Sur- 
render of the Confederacy, The Interregnum Followed by 
Military Occupation, The Peabody Fund, Its Influence on 
Education 321 

■Chapter XXXIX— Education in Texas Under the Provisional 
Government, Military Occupation. Emancipation Order, Ham- 
ilton Provisional Governor, Organization of the Civil Govern- 
ment. Election Order. Constitution of 1866, Throckmorton 
Governor, Provision for Education, Republican Reconstruc- 
tion, Civil Governor Removed. E. M. Pease Appointed Pro- 
visional Governor. Constitution of 1S68, Provisions for Educa- 
tion. First Public Free School in Texas was Opened Septem- 
ber 4th. 1871. Dr. B. Sears' Report as General Agent of the 
Peabody Fund, The Taxpayers' Convention 329 



xvi Table of Contents. 

Page 
Chapter XL— The Peabody Education Fund, George Peabody, 
His - Character, His Death, Munificent Bequest, Dr. Barnas 
Sears General Agent of the Fund, Dr. Rufus C. Burleson's 
Appointment as Lecturer for the Fund in Texas, His First 
Quarterly Report 335 

Chapter XLI— Address of Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, Chairman, 
Before the Board of Trustees of the Peabody Education 
Fund, Appropriation of the Fund to Texas in 1877, Differ- 
ences Regarding Appointment of Superintendents of Peabody 
Schools, Dr. R. C. Burleson's Letter on the Subject, Annual 
Report of Dr. B. Sears for 1877, Dr. Burleson Charged With 
Sectarian Bias, Vigorous Denial, More of the Pioneers of 
Texas, Joint Canvass of the State by Drs. Sears and Burle- 
son 315 

Chapter XLII— Progress of Public Education in Texas, Applica- 
tion of the Peabody Fund, Aid to City Schools, Dr. Burleson's 
Report as State Lecturer, Dr. Sears' Report as General Agent 
for 1878, Dr. Burleson's Great Interest in Education in 
Texas, Offers His Services to Dr. Sears Without Compensa- 
tion, Offer Accepted 353 

Chapter XLIII— A Brief Review of the Administrations of Gov- 
ernors Coke and Hubbard, with Reference to Education, 
Governor Roberts' First Administration, State Teachers' Con- 
vention at Austin, Dr. Sears' Proposition for a Normal In- 
stitute, Dr. Burleson's Letter to Governor Roberts on Free 
Schools, The Public on Governor Roberts and Dr. Burleson 
Because of the Veto, Dr. Burleson's Reply to a Newspaper 
Attack, on His Letter to Governor Roberts 360 

Chapter XLIV— Texas State Educational Association, Texas 
Teachers' Convention Organized at Mexia, An Important 
Called Meeting at Mexia August 9th, 1879, A Convention of 
Teachers at Austin, Dr. Burleson's Statement of Convention's 
Work, The Teachers' Recommendations to the Legislature, 
Committee Report on University of Texas, Dr. Burleson 
Chairman, Last Meeting of Texas Teachers' Convention, 
Ceased to Exist Where it was Organized June 30th, 1880, 
Merged into the Texas State Educational Association, Gov. 
O. M. Roberts Addressed the Meeting, Organization of the 
T. S. E. A., July 1st, 1880, Its Continued Success 371 

Chapter XLV— Dr. R. C. Burleson's Address Before the Texas 
Teachers' Convention in Galveston June 30th, 1890, Pithy and 
Pointed, Breezy and Bright, Witty and Wise, Learned and 
Logical, Education, Public and Private, The Sam Houston 
Normal Institute Suggested for the First Time, Other 
Matters '. 382" 



Table of Contents. xvii 

Page 
Chapter XLVI— Progress of Education in Texas, Development 
of State Institutions, Dr. B. Sears' Report for 1879, Establish- 
ment of State University, Corner Stone Laid November 17th, 
1883, Educational Measures Passed During Gov. Roberts- 
Administration, Prairie View Made a Branch of the Univer- 
sity, Medical University at Galveston Opened October 1st, 
1891, Summer Normals, Value of School Property, Charitable 
Institutions, Generosity of the People in Favor of Education 393 

Chapter XLVII— Resolution of the East Texas Convention Octo- 
ber 12th, 1867; Organization of the Baptist General Associa- 
tion of Texas July 17th, 1868, Gen. James E. Harrison, of 
Waco, Elected President, R. C. Burleson, Corresponding Sec- 
retary, Gen. Joseph W. Speight, Chairman of Committee to 
Remodel Constitution, Dr. Burleson Moves to Send Fraternal 
Delegates to State Convention, Dr. Burleson Elected Corre- 
sponding Secretary for the Fourth Time 402 

Chapter XLVIII— Growth of the General Association, Dr. Burle- 
son Elected President at Jefferson July 25th, 1873; Re-elected 
at Dallas, 1874; Sherman, 1875; Waco, 1876; Paris, 1877; 
Fort Worth, 1878; Pittsburg, 1879; Served the Association as 
Corresponding Secretary and President Eleven Consecutive 
Years, Movement to Establish Organic Connection Between 
General Association and Waco University, The Pott's Reso- 
lution, Movement Consummated at Sulphur Springs in 1882, 
A Sketch of the Consolidation Movement Resulting in the 
Union of all the General Baptist Conventions in the State. . . 407 

Chapter XLIX— First Session of the Consolidated Convention in 
Waco, June 26th, 1886, Dr. Burleson Member of the Board 
of Directors, Constitution of the Convention, Dr. Burleson 
Continued on the Board of Directors at Dallas in 1887, and 
Made Chairman of Committee on Colored Population, Bishop 
College, Vice-President in 1889 and 1890, Elected President 
in 1892 at Belton and Re-elected at Gainesville in 1893 415 

Chapter L— Dr. Burleson and His School Work at W T aco. Trinity 
High School, S. G. O'Brien, First President Waco Classical 
School, J. C. West, President, Dr. Burleson Elected President 
and Name Changed to Waco University, Gen. Speight's Let- 
ter, Dr. Burleson Visits Waco April 15, 1861, Accepts the 
Presidency, Civil War of 1861 Again, Professors and Students 
Enlist in the Confederate Army, Dr. Burleson Chaplain of the 
Fifteenth Regiment, Session of 1865, Co-Education, Resolu- 
tion of Trustees 423 



xviii Table of Contents. 

Page 

Chapter LI— Years that Follow the War, a Crisis in the History 
of all Enterprises, Feople Restless, Changing Conditions, Dr. 
Burleson Quick to Grasp the Situation, Knew What to Do, 
and Did It, Girded on His Armor, Took the Field and 
Preached, Lectured and Wrote, Confidence in the Security of 
Waco Inspired, Elected President of Sheveport University, 
Degree of D. D. Conferred by Howard College, Dr. Burleson 
Keeps Track of Old Students, Reference to the Manner in 
Which He Marked Catalogues, Every Page in His Working 
Testament Marked, Address to the Baptists of Texas 433 

Chapter LII— Reconstruction of the Educational Affairs of 
Texas Baptists, Question of Removing the Schools from In- 
dependence, Educational Union, Centennial Commission, 
Navasota Resolutions, Dr. Burleson Attends American Bap- 
tist Educational Commission in 1874, Receives the Degree of 
LL.D. from Keachi College, Unification, Hayden Preamble 
and Resolutions at Ennis, Issue Joined, Line Drawn, and 
Every Baptist Steps on One Side or the Other, Baptist State 
Convention at Lampasas, Resolutions on Removal, Committee 
Appointed, Dr. Burleson's Position, Joint Meeting of Com- 
mittees from Convention and Association at Temple, Plan of 
Consolidation Adopted, Consolidated University Goes to 
Waco, Female College to Belton 442 

Chapter LIII— Results of Baptist Educational Reconstruction in 
Texas, First Session of the Consolidated School, Dr. Burle- 
son's Remarks, Transfer of Property of Waco University, 
Gen. Speight, President, and W. H. Jenkins, Secretary, of 
the Old Board, Their Faithfulness, B. H. Carroll, President 
of the New Board, His First Report to the Convention, New 
College Campus Purchased, and New Buildings Erected, In 
1893 All Debts Paid, Co-Education Readopted After Ten 
Years' Trial, Dr. Burleson a Hard Worker, In Baylor, His 
Rosiest Dream Realized, Exposure in Early Days in Texas, 
Advanced in Life, Elected President Emeritus on Full Pay, 
His Letter of Acceptance, Trustees Kneel, Dr. Burleson Leads 
in Prayer, Public Career Closes in a Spirit of Human Mag- 
nanimity, and Flow of Christian Fellowship and Love 457 

After- Word 466 



PART II — Funeral of Dr. Burleson. 

(Waco Auditorium, May 15th, 1901.) 

Prayer by Dr. A. M. Johnson .' 475 

Funeral Sermon by Dr. W. H. Parks 476 

Address by Dr. S. J. Anderson 481 

Address by Supt. J. C. Lattimore 483 

(Representing Public Schools.) 



Table of Contents. xix 

Page 
Speech of M. B. Davis 486 

(Representing The Press.) 

Speech of Prof. W. H. Pool 487 

(Representing Old Students.) 

Speech of Dr. Addison Clark 488 

(Representing Sister Schools.) 

Speech of Dr. D. R. Wallace 489 

(Representing Faculty of 1851.) 

Speech of Rev. E. A. Puthuff ' 491 

(Representing Missionary Students to Foreign Lands.) 

Speech of Mr. E. P. Alldredge 494 

(Representing Student Body of Baylor.) 

Speech of Mayor J. W. Riggins 496 

(Representing City of Waco.) 

Address by Dr. O. H. Cooper 498 

(Representing Baylor Faculty.) 

Speech of Hon. W. B. Denson. 499 

(Representing Baylor Trustees.) 
Resolutions Adopted by the Board of Trustees of Baylor Uni- 
versity 501 

Speech of Hon. W. S. Baker 506 

(Representing Old Students.) 

Resolutions Adopted by the Faculty of Baylor University 507 

Address by Dr. O. I. Halbert— "Home Life of Dr. Burleson'' 510 

(Contributed after the Funeral.) 
Address by Hon. W. B. Denson— "Dr. Burleson a Model for 
Texas Youths" 512 

(Contributed after the Funeral.) 



PAKT III — Chapel Talks by "Dr. Burleson. 

Introduction 521 

Young People: Their Duties and Perils 522 

Moses, The Grand Model of Preparation 524 

Jonah, or Running Away from Duty 526 

Do Thyself no Harm 528 

Absalom or Filial Ingratitude 531 

There is a Time to Laugh. 533 

"The Crime of Parental Partiality 535 



xx Table of Contents. 

PART IV — Selected Addresses and Articles by 
Dr. Burleson. 

Page 
General Sam Houston. Address delivered before the Texas Leg- 
islature March 2d, 1893, at the Memorial Services on the One 
Hundredth Anniversary of the Birth of Gen. Sam Houston, 
• and the 57th of Texas Independence. (This address covers 

all the various points of Gen. Houston's eventful life.) 545 

Gen. L. S. Ross— A True Model 588 

Senator Richard Coke 593 

The Mirage in Texas . 595 

An Early Texas Missionary Among the Wolves 597 



PART V — Dr. Burleson as a Preacher. 

(With Selected Sermons by Dr. Burleson.) 

"Dr. Burleson as a Preacher," by Hon. W. B. Denson 607 

Sermon on "Family Government" 612 

"Behold the Lamb of God"— His 57th Anniversary Sermon, de- 
livered Nov. 12th, 1397 632 

Sermon on "The Deaconship"— Dedicated to the Deacons of 
Texas 651 



PART Y I— Many of "The Old Guard" Series of 
Biographies. 

Introduction 66£ 

James R. Jenkins 667 

The Old Guard— Their Work and Co-laborers 664 

Wm. M. Tryon 669 

James Huckins 675 

Z. N. Morrell 681 

R. E. B. Baylor 689 

Noah T. Byars 695 

Hosea Garrett ....-, 700 

D. B. Morrill 703 

A. C. Horton 70$ 

Isaac Van Zandt 712" 

A. G. Haynes 714 

Tyrell J. Jackson 717 

Gail Borden, Jr 721 

T. J. Pilgrim 729- 

Mrs. Dickinson— "The Heroine of the Alamo" 735 

M. V. Smith 741 



Table of Contents. xxi 

PAET VII — Articles by Dr. Burleson on Texas History. 

(Condensed and Interesting Sketch of Texas History, dis- 
cussed under the "Seven Eras," with many articles, 
throwing light on Texas History, gathered by Dr. Burle- 
son during 54 years of study and association with Texas 
Pioneers and Patriots). 

Page 

Texas— Name, Size, Climate, History 749 

Address to Texas Veterans 764 

Era of Missions 779 

Era of Fredonians or Filibusters 783 

Era of Colonization 792 

Stephen F. Austin 798 

Revolution 801 

Siege and Fall of the Alamo 815 

The Fort Parker Massacre 817 

The Mexican War 826 

The Great Comanche Raid of 1840 834 

Gen. Woll's Invasion and the Mier Expedition 840 

Presidents of the Republic 847 

Annexation 856 

Seventh Era of Texas History 861 

Hon. J. Pinkney Henderson 867 

Hon. George Tyler Wood 869 

Hon. E. M. Pease 873 

Gen. Ed. Burleson 876 

Railroads , 881 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson .Frontispiece 

Jonathan Burleson 26 

The Old Mountain Home, Alabama 29 

Cold Cave 31 

Flint River, where Dr. Burleson was Baptized 35 

Mt. Pisgah Church, First Church Dr. Burleson was a Member of. 54 

A Page from Dr. Burleson's Bible 67 

A. S. Lipscomb Ill 

On the Old College Campus at Independence 114 



xxii List of Illustrations. 

Paget 

Old Baylor University Buildings at Independence 121 

Dr. Burleson and Wife in 1853 135 

Mrs. Georgia J. Burleson 140 

Richard B. Burleson 161 

Pool where Dr. Burleson Baptized Gen. Sam Houston 16G 

Baptistry of the Independence Church 168 

Dr. Burleson's First Faculty at Baylor University 170 

Different Portraits of Dr. Burleson 195 

Baylor University 309 

The R. C. and R. A. Burleson Home, Waco 414 

S. L. Morris and Family 470 

R. A. Burleson and Family 470 

Dr. Burleson's Grave 516 

Gen. Sam Houston's Grave 583 

James Huckins 675 

Z. N. Morrell 681 

R. E. B. Baylor 689 

Grave of Judge R. E. B. Baylor 694 

N. T. Byars 695 

Hosea Garrett 700 

A. G. Haynes 714 

Gail Borden 721 

The First Sunday School in Texas. 733 

Landing of LaSalle 750 

Murder of LaSalle. . . 755 

Santa Anna Behind Lieut. Sylvester 762 

Executive Mansion 764 

Aztec Indians Discovering Texas 765 

Siege of Alamo 771 

Santa Anna at San Jacinto 773 

Santa Anna Before Gen. Sam Houston 775 

Battle of San Jacinto ! .777 

The Alamo 780 

Priests and Attendants Leaving the Alamo 782 

Mrs. Long Firing the Cannon 791 

Stephen F. Austin 798 

Santa Anna 804 

Bowie Being Carried over the Line 816 

Presidents of the Republic 847 

The Governors of Texas 860, 864 

The State Capitols 872 

Gen. Ed. Burleson 877 



PART I 



BIOGRAPHY OF DR. BURLESON 



BY 



HARRY HAYNES. 



EXORDIUM. 



A long life has passed under view, the story of which is 
recited in the following pages. It was not a life of idleness 
and ease, bnt one of ceaseless planning, and constant toiling. 

To write the life of an idler would be an easy task, since 
Paul by one of his masterly strokes in a communication to 
Timothy, furnishes a matchless model for the biography of 
all the slothful who lived both before his day and in all suc- 
ceeding ages. "Wandering about from house to house; and 
not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things 
which they ought not." 

To write the life of a busy man is a very different propo- 
sition, and the energy of the biographer can be no less than 
the hero of the narrative he faithfully relates. 

The value of all history consists in its accuracy and relia- 
bility, and hence the task of the historian is by no means 
trifling, but both difficult and arduous. Oliver Wendell 
Holmes states this truth most forcefully when he says : 

"The age of mystery with its hoarded power, 
That girth the tyrant in his storied tower, 
Have past and faded like a dream of youth, 
And riper eras ask for history's truth." 

As the whole mass of uncounted and countless stars that 
form the firmament is composed of single shining specks, so 
is the sum of a busy man's life made up of little events, which 
in their concrescence, form a mighty force. To recite every 
act, and reproduce every event is impossible, just as an effort 
would be to enumerate the stars. The work of the biographer 



4 The Life and Writings of 

therefore, like the task of the portrait painter, is only an 
honest effort to reproduce the original as nearly as possible. 

Too often the lives of men, who have won renown, are 
hurled before our vision like resplendent meteors. We are 
dazzled with the view, because he is enrobed with all his dis- 
tinguishing perfections and eminence, we can not rightly 
appreciate his character or methods, because we do not see 
his previous footsteps. In the present case, we have com- 
menced our story even beyond Dr. Burleson's birth, moved 
along in orderly procession, withholding nothing intentionally 
from the public, connecting his boyhood with his manhood, 
his child life on the frontier of Alabama, with his residence 
in Waco, at the head of a great institution of learning. 

We have performed the service with some degree of en- 
thusiasm, have been assiduous and diligent in our search for 
facts, painstaking and careful in our investigations, and loyal 
to our trust, but are aware that the work is imperfect. 

Some will read this book, and recall incidents in Dr. Bur- 
leson's life not recorded, and wonder why they were omitted. 
Let all such critics bear in mind that the book would have 
been subject to the same criticism if they had been the author. 

Others will say, the facts of Dr. Burleson's life have not 
been correctly recited; others will say his character has not 
been properly presented; still others will say our deductions 
are faulty and illogical. 

Amid all this adverse comment, we will derive comfort 
and consolation from the reflection, that from Lord Macaulay 
down, critics are but men, frail and fallible men. 



UrexAAyu/urCU4AAJlA f 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 



CHAPTER I 



Genealogy — General Remarks — Importance Attached 
to the Subject by Royal Families — Leads to Ances- 
tral Worship — Origin and Genealogy of the Burle- 
son Family — Sir Edward Burleson — Aaron Burle- 
son — Genl. Ed. Burleson — Dr. R. C. Burleson. 



^% INGE the shimmering shining sun arose from its bed 
mm® of nothingness in the east, imparting light and 
* warmth to a chilly cheerless earth, there has never 
been a time in the world's history, when the subject of gene- 
alogy was not considered of the highest importance. 

Indeed it has its origin in the first chapter of all history, 
for God said after the work of creation had been finished and 
pronounced good, "Let us make man in our own image." 

Closely following the execution of this purpose, He 
assumes the role of the genealogist and declares "These are 
the generations of the heavens and earth." 

Following this example, nearly all the Old Testament 
writers evidently studied the subject most profoundly, 
and devote much time to giving the lineal descent of the 
ancient Patriarchs and Prophets. 

Not only so, but the first sentence in the New Testament 
is, "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ," followed by 
the Savior's genealogy. These inspired writers, while devot- 
ing less space, and covering more circumscribed lines, attach 
even greater importance to the subject, for they fully appre- 
ciate the fact that the Divine authority for the New Dispen- 
sation, depends upon their ability to establish the truth 



6 The Life and "Writings of 

unmistakably, that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, since 

He was the Alpha and Omega of the Dispensation of Grace. 

. From the creation of Adam on down to the birth of 

Christ, prophets, priests, and apostles magnify the subject. 

The early historians using the Bible as a model of nar- 
ration, included nearly all history under the head of gene- 
alogy, making no distinction between current happenings, 
tribal events, and the ancestors of men. 

Later on, as the generations increased, it became a distinct 
branch of learning, and was pursued with much assiduity. 
The ambition of the people to present unbroken lines of 
descent in primitive days, was carried to a most absurd extent, 
and gave rise to Totemism, a form of religion originating in 
Egypt, and handed down to the present, through successive 
generations of semi-savage people. 

A man's Totem may be of the animal or vegetable world, 
but all have Totems, to which their descent is clearly traced 
with all collateral branches. 

Among the Chinese, devotion to this science, and the 
awful sacredness with which genealogical connection was 
worked out and preserved, has evidently led to ancestral wor- 
ship, to which they are wedded, and which they so successfully 
perpetuate. 

In Greece and Athens, so much importance was attached 
to the subject, and so much stress laid upon the matter of 
family connection, both by the Aristocracy and Plebians, 
that a contestant in the athletic sports of these people, was 
required to present his pedigree. 

From the sixth to the eleventh century, enthusiasm on 
this subject seems to have subsided to a large extent, but the 
days of Feudalism in Europe, created what the leaders 
thought to be a necessity for them to establish their superiority 
over the common vassal, so that the spoils might fall only to 
the better classes. Scholars were therefore, put to work by 
Feudal Lords, to trace ancestral lines. The disorder and 
darkness of the preceding centuries, presented difficulties 
which obstructed their path of sober research, and supplied 
an excuse for making their escape into the realm of imagina- 
tion and conjecture. 

Little trouble therefore was had in clearly connecting 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 7 

these lords with some famous progenitor; when the property 
ruthlessly wrested from an inferior and weaker people, became 
theirs bv divine right. 

Coming on down to the effete despotisms of the East, and 
monarchical countries of Europe, the question of genealogy 
is not only a question of family pride, but one of much prac- 
tical value and utility; at the same time, as was the case in 
the days of Feudalism, society is lead by those who are able 
to trace their lineage to a royal source. Political positions 
depend upon family connections; vast landed estates become 
the property of royal families exclusively; far-reaching trans- 
portation facilities are controlled by favorites of the Throne, 
and nearly all valuable franchises granted to those who have 
descended from royal stock. 

In these countries title comes with birth, title means 
possessions, possessions mean position, and position means 
power, whether brains come with birth or not. 

In Great Britain, less than 30,000 people out of a total 
population of 42,000,000 own the landed estate of the United 
Kingdom, and every officer of the government, from Edward 
VII, to his equerries, holds his position by right of royal 
descent. 

What is affirmed of Great Britain may be said also of 
Germany, Russia, Austria and other countries of Europe, 
and in a much wider sense, is true also, of the centralized 
despotisms of the east, social, civil and financial, among 
these people, little men intellectually speaking, are made great 
by the favors of fortune, and great minds suppressed by the 
frowns of the same senseless potentate. 

In these countries of slow development, and fettered 
brains, the answer to the question, "who am I?" is, "I am royal 
or nothing." So vital are the issues involved and so much 
depends upon descent, that genealogy is classed with astron- 
omy, mathematics, and other sciences; is governed by rules 
and principles, and in many places pursued as a learned pro- 
fession. 

Here, where people have lived from the dawn of time, 
and generations have run far into the thousands, the line of 
descent, and ancestral connection, is so ramified, complicated 



8 The Life akd Writings of 

and intricate, the task of the genealogical expert or professor, 
involves endless work and research; and the result a matter 
of such moment, he is richly rewarded for his service. Then 
too, the intricacy of the proposition makes room for perpetrat- 
ing frauds; these frauds bring to the front rival claimants for 
a throne or valuable property, which conditions have precipi- 
tated some of the bloodiest wars, in the annals of the world. 

Such is the complexity of the question, and with so many 
difficulties is it beset, that an unbroken, and clearly estab- 
lished line covering more than a dozen generations, is very 
rare ; although Victoria, late Queen of England, and Empress 
of India, claimed to have clearly traced her family connection 
to King David. Menelok, King of Abyssinia, claims to have 
established the fact that he was a consanguineous relative to 
the Queen of Sheba; and many of the Arabian Shieks have 
pedigrees, conclusively showing a direct and unbroken descent 
from Noah. 

Family trees are planted, upon which branches spring by 
the creative touch of the unscrupulous, professional genealo- 
gist, in any desired direction, to which nutrition is furnished 
by any distinguished blood desired. 

Missing, or broken links in lines of descent, are fur- 
nished for a stipulated fee on application as readily as a skill- 
ful attorney could write a legal contract. And since a fam- 
ily in Continental or Eastern countries amounts to little, in 
the social and poltical realm, without a coat of arms, ingenius 
artists furnish these ancient evidences of family distinction 
upon short notice for an interesting consideration. 

It has been said, "the road to fame is royal." This is 
unquestionably true in some countries, but not the whole 
truth; it is sometimes a matter of cold-blooded business. 

It is not asserted that the laws of primogeniture and 
heredity, in civil, social and business affairs, are either al- 
ways disastrous and unsatisfactory; far from it; some thrones 
have been filled by hereditary monarchs that were towers of 
strength, who designed to promote the welfare of the coun- 
try arid weal of the people. Vast fortunes have been con- 
trolled by men who were moved in all enterprises by patriotic 
and philanthropic motives. The scepter in society has been 



Dr. Kufus C. Burlesox. 9 

wielded by leaders whose lives were well ordered and whose 
purposes were pure; but the correctness of these systems is 
not justified by these exceptional instances. They are mere 
accidents. Nero, the demon, was made Emperor of Rome by 
the same rules and process that Bess the Good was made Queen 
of England. 

In democratic America some attention is paid, some 
thought bestowed, and some study made of family history and 
genealogical descent, but for a very dissimilar purpose. Here 
commanders of our mighty armies rise from the ranks, tailors, 
tanners and woodchoppers become Presidents; mill boys our 
matchless orators; farm hands our greatest authors, and rail- 
road laborers our college professors. In the struggle of life, 
progenitors, antecedents, and connections count for very lit- 
tle, and family history is merely a matter of family pride and 
satisfaction. True, there are castes and classes among the 
American people, and sharp distinctions in society, but these 
conditions are not the result of fortunate birth or kinship; 
they are due solely, and, we say with pride, exclusively to 
the excellence of our civil institutions, the cultivation of the 
mind, and proper use of opportunities. 

Here, as in no other country on the globe, the fetters 
have been stricken from, the soul, the shackles from the mind, 
and the standard of merit alone established. Every condi- 
tion is favorable for the highest moral and intellectual devel- 
opment, and opportunities are open to all alike, regardless 
and irrespective of family antecedents and connections. Still 
there is both pleasure and profit in the study of family his- 
tory, and satisfaction derived from a knowledge of our origin. 
For these reasons, and for this purpose, it is proposed to take 
a cursory glance at the lineage and history of the Burleson 
family. 

"The history of a family is like that of a race. They 
stand apart by themselves. Their patronymic is their birth- 
mark. They trace it along the line of generations. In 
retrospection and prospection it is with them a living string. 
The diverging lines and strains of other blood are lost to sight 
and forgotten when a few years have past, but the paternal 
name stands as a beacon. Those who bear it, ask what those 



10 The Life and Writings oe 

who have borne it before have been, and what those to bear 
it hereafter, shall be. 

This is not a mere string of names and dates. The cen- 
turies come and go, and with them men live and die, but the 
soul of the father lives in the son who bears his name. Dr. 
S. S. Burleson, an eminent philologist, who devoted much 
study to the origin of the Burleson family and the etymology 
of the name says, "there is reason to conclude that the name is 
of Scandinavian origin. It may be fairly formed from the 
Danish word 'Burlare/ and the common affix son or sen, 
which taken together, and used in a patronymic sense, plainly 
signify the children of the 'heavy timbered hills. 7 I have 
been assured by graduates of the universities of Upsala and 
Copenhagen that the name was clearly Scandinavian, and 
was in use in their countries at this time. 

The Burlesons may be joined by the ties of blood with 
the fierce Norwegian vikings, whose ships ploughed all the 
western seas, or with the stern and strong Danish invaders of 
England, in the days of her early history. These men have 
left their mark upon the ages. It was no curse to England 
that Canute, Harold and Hardicanute ruled on her shores. 
They brought elements of great strength, and a descent from 
such ancestry is not inglorious." 

While speaking thus positively, there was evidently some 
doubt in this great scholar's mind as to the correctness of his 
conclusions, for he goes on to remark, "we may be exiles from 
Erin, and find our place somewhere between Malin head and 
old Cape Clear, or, we may look in the land of Owen Grlen- 
dower, and find our home between the Severn and the Dee. 
On the cliffs of Scotia we may plant our feet, and by loch 
and frith from Pentland to Solway, seek the glen where our 
fathers were nurtured. The chalk cliffs of eastern Albion 
may be the bound of our search, or we may pass onward 

Round the shores where runic Odin, 

Howls his war song to the gale, 
Round the land where rough Lafoden, 

Whirls to death the roaring whale. 

Again, we may stand on The Skaw of Juttance, and 



Dr. Ruths C. Burleson. 11 

gazing across the waters of the Cattegal to Gattland say here, 
or there was our place, in the days of our fathers/ 7 

Another learned member of the family, who devoted 
much time to a study of its history says, "The family is of 
Welch origin, and the name comes from Buries or Burley, 
from which the English adjective is derived. Buries or 
Burley, originally meant a mountaineer, or thick, heavy 
strong man, and originated in the mountains of Wales. The 
name 400 years ago was spelled Burley son, which is still 
retained by some members of the family." 

However this may be, whether of Welch, Celtic or Scan- 
dinavian origin the Burlesons may be said to be of English 
descent for the reason we find them in England and Wales 
during the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries and by their cour* 
age, enterprise and loyalty, successfully assisting in repelling 
all invasions, placing an English ship on every sea, planting 
the British standard upon every continent, encircling the 
earth with its commerce, and aiding in making Great Britain 
the mightiest empire in strength and extent the world ever 
knew. 

The American branch of the Burleson family are 
descendants of two brothers, Sir Edward Burleson, who emi- 
grated from England in 1716, and settled in Connecticut, 
and Aaron who came from the same country eight years later 
in 1724, and settled in North Carolina. Dr. B. C. Burleson 
states that Sir Edward and Aaron were brothers. Dr. S. S. 
Burleson states that the exact relationship was not known. 
They spelled their names in the same way, and possessed some 
family characteristics in common, but it is by no means cer- 
tain they were as closely related as Dr. B. C. Burleson be- 
lieved. The continent at that time was very sparsely settled, 
and a congenial neighbor a thing not to be despised. Besides, 
tribes of savage Indians infested every part of the country, 
and they objected to the settlement of their territory by the 
Europeans, consequently settlements or colonies frequently 
suffered from their incursions unless strong enough to suc- 
cessfully resist their assaults. With these conditions in mind, 
it would seem, when Aaron decided to remain here in 1724, 
without personal predilection for any particular part of an 



12 The Life and Writings of 

almost unknown wilderness, he would have preferred for 
many reasons Connecticut, where Sir Edward had settled 
eight years previous. 

If they were brothers, they seemed to have entertained 
widely different views on many questions, as they drifted in 
opposite directions, and maintained separate family relations. 
Sir Edward and his descendants, being what is commonly 
termed northern people, while Aaron and his progeny were 
southern in sympathy and sentiment. 

An incident is related of the war between the states, 
which furnishes some evidence that Edward and Aaron were 
brothers, though it is by no means conclusive. 

After the battle of Petersburg, Virginia, April 2d, 1865, 
between the armies of the North and South, a Eederal cavalry 
regiment captured a squad of hungry Confederates. A Con- 
federate soldier called to a comrade and begged a crust of 
bread, saying he had tasted no food for twenty-four hours. 
The comrade replied that he had no bread and was in precisely 
the same fix. A gallant Eederal officer pulled off his well- 
filled haversack and said, "here boys, divide this between you, 
for humanity's sake." The Confederate said, "please tell 
me your name that I may never forget your timely gen- 
erosity." The Eederal colonel replied, "My name is John 
Burleson, of Vermont." 

"John Burleson of Vermont, John Burleson of Ver- 
mont," ejaculated the surprised Confederate, "Why my name 
is John Burleson, have you Burlesons in Vermont?" 

"Oh, yes scores and hundreds of them. Have you Bur- 
lesons in the South ?" 

"Thousands and thousands," the hungry Confederate 
replied. 

This incident led to a very extensive correspondence 
between the Northern and Southern branches of the family, 
after the close of the war, which brought out the fact already 
stated, that Sir Edward came from England in 1716, and 
settled in Jewett City, Connecticut, and Aaron came in 1724, 
and failing to locate his brother settled in Buncombe, now 
Mitchell county, North Carolina. 

Some stress has been laid on the relationship of these two 



i 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 13 

colonists, and the evidence partially given, for the reason, it 
is important from a family point of view, and of interest to 
the student of history. It is fairly well established from relia- 
ble records, that Sir Edward and Aaron were the first Burle- 
sons to come to America, and that from them, all the Burle- 
sons are descended. If they were brothers, or more remotely 
i"! related, there is established a connection between all branches 
v of this numerous and distinguished family. 

The Burlesons are not only great hosts in numbers, but 
V they are widely diffused, and have been potent factors in the 
\ settlement and development of this mighty country. 

They are found now in the states of New York, Vermont, 
Ohio, Michigan, "Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, California, 
j Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, Missouri, Missis- 
sippi, Minnesota, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, and some of tlie 
Territories. (Qww^j /V » J^-y^eN-, )%k>> 

Here they have lived since before the birth of the nation, 
{j& during colonial days, and wherever found, they have filled 
K / w *ti° L signal success positions in every sphere of life. 

In educational affairs, they have been presidents, and 
college professors; in religion, pastors of strong churches; in 
W mercantile pursuits, proprietors of prosperous business con- 
cerns. In industrial enterprises, they have been leaders and 
originators, and the success of some of the greatest business 
ventures in the country, such as the Armour Packing Com- 
n ^fpany and the Willimantic Thread Company, is due to their 
<A" business acumen. 

Not only so, but the spirit of adventure has characterized 
certain members of the family, and we find them pushing out 
to the border, erecting log cabins, felling forests, opening 
farms, raising food stuffs, teaching old field schools, organiz- 
ing and supplying weak churches, and discharging with match- 
less courage and heroism, all the arduous duties of the pioneer 
frontiersman and foundation builder. Patriotism, or a love 
of country has been a marked characteristic of the family, and 
a martial spirit always developed, when the country's exigen- 
cies required. 

A Burleson was a member of George Washington's staff, 
there were Colonels, Captains and privates bearing that namo 



v- 



14 The Life and Wkitings of 

in the Revolutionary army, and the battlefields of Bunker 
Hill, Brandywine, and Saratoga, were stained with Burleson 
blood. 

In the war of 1812 they come again in larger numbers, 
and greater force, to the defense of their country, displaying 
their usual gallantry and dash at Lundy's Lane, Sackett's Har- 
bour, Osewego, and Queentown Heights. They were again in 
the saddle in the war between the United States and Mexico 
in 1846, shot, fought and mingled their shouts of victory with 
Taylor's army at Buena Vista, Monterey, Palo Alto and 
Reseca de la Palma. 

"When our own loved Texas was in the throes of a revo- 
lution with Mexico in 1836, the Burlesons were here, and re- 
sponded to the appeals of a young and poorly equipped colony, 
struggling for freedom against a much more powerful country. 

General Ed. Burleson who was a born commander and 
military genius, and who had seen some service under General 
Andrew Jackson in the Creek war of 1812, was made a Colonel 
in the hasty organization of the Texas army. He soon rose 
to the rank of a general, and was with Houston at San Jacinto, 
where he rendered most valuable aid in that triumph, which 
forever settled the question of separation of Texas from 
Mexico, and the establishment of Texas freedom. 

"We have thus offered some reflections on the subject of 
genealogy in general, given briefly the origin of the Burleson 
family, hurriedly traced the history of the family from Eng- 
land to the New "World, and told in a. word, of their lives in 
more than a score of states. 

In the following chapters we propose to tell the story of 
the life of Dr. R. C. Burleson, one of the most famous mem- 
bers of this famous family of Americans. 



Db. Rufits C. Bueleson. 15 



CHAPTER II. 



Settlement oe "N~obth Alabama — Desperate Resistance 
by Indian Teibes — Expeditions of Ponce DeLeon, 
Vasquez, Pamphilo, DeSoto, LaSalle, Ibeeville — 
Mississippi Scheme — Western Company — Tecumseh 
an Indian Warrior, Stirs the Tribes and Incites the 
War oe 1813 — Plan of His Warfaee — General 
Government Appealed to — Heroic Settlers — Vol- 
unteers Under Geneeal Andeew Jackson — Captain 
Jonathan Bitbleson Commands a Company — Close of 
the War — Immigrants Pour into the Cohntey. 



N 



OWHEEE in North America have the aborigines re- 
sisted European encroachment, and the permanent 
occupation of the country with more determination, 
than in that section originally defined as East and West Flor- 
ida, and at present, embraced within the geographical boun- 
daries of the states of Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee 
and Alabama. 

Powerful Indian chiefs commanded hordes of dauntless 
warriors, who being familiar with these primeval forests and 
all natural fortifications, defeated every effort made to settle 
the country, for over three hundred years. 

Ponce DeLeon discovered the coast of West Florida 
March 27th, 1512, landed, made some observations, and re- 
turned to Porto Rico. 

In the Autumn of that year he fitted up two ships, and 
returned with a force which he supposed, would be sufficient 



16 The Life and "Writings of 

to subdue the savage inhabitants, and hold the country in un- 
disturbed possession. He affected a landing near St. Augus- 
tine, was immediately attacked with implacable fury by the 
Indians, many of his men killed, the remainder driven to their 
ships, and the commander, who had received a mortal wound, 
sailed away with the wreck of his expedition to Cuba, where he 
died soon after arriving. 

Vasquez de Ayllon organized a powerful expedition and 
landed on the same coast in 1525, with the express purpose of 
subjugating these savage tribes; was induced to visit the in- 
terior, became a victim to Indian diplomacy, and every mem- 
ber of his force butchered, and his object defeated. 

In 1528 Pamphilo de Navarez conducted the next im- 
portant expedition, with a view of subduing these Avarlike 
people. His fleet consisted of four ships, a strong military 
force of four hundred infantry, and eighty cavalry. He 
landed on the coast of East Florida, and took possession of the 
country in the name of his Imperial Master. He explored the 
country as far as JSTorth Alabama, conquered several weak 
tribes, which induced him to believe his glorious purpose 
would be easy of accomplishment. This effort failed most 
signally, as a result of Indian tact. Members of these capt- 
ured tribes represented to l^avarez that they knew the country, 
and volunteered their services as guides. The expedition was 
conducted through dismal swamps, tangled jungles, over rapid 
flowing rivers, across rugged mountains, through waterless and 
trackless forests, and untrodden wildernesses. These soldiers, 
bent on conquest, suffered, and many of them died for want of 
food and water; many succumbed to disease, and scores ivere 
killed by Indian scouts, who constantly harrassed the com- 
mand. 

Becoming discouraged ISTavarez, with the remnant of his 
force, made his way finally to the coast, but by mistake of 
reckoning, failed to find his vessels, and the attempt to occupy 
the country, ended in a most miserable failure. 

In 15 3 S Hernando de Soto, a man of wealth and fame, 
was fired with ambition to possess this country of fabulous 
reputed wealth, although fully apprised of the disaster of all 
former attempts in the same direction. He was one of the 
conquerors of Peru, and felt himself to be invincible. 



Dr. Hufus C. Burleson. 17 

His military force consisted of nine hundred and fifty 
picked Spanish and Portuguese soldiers, a formidable fleet, 
and every necessary equipment. The expedition, full of en- 
thusiasm and confidence, landed on the Espiritor Sonto Bay. 

They plunged without hesitation, into the savage wilds 
of East Florida, and thence northward into the southwest sec- 
tion of Georgia, and the territory now known as Southern 
Alabama, then through the country of the Seminoles, a most 
ferocious and warlike tribe. They marched and wandered 
for the first year in East Florida and Georgia, east of Flint 
river, and were constantly harrassed by the natives. 

The Indians that were unfortunately captured and forced 
to act as guides as in the case of the ill-fated Navarez expedi- 
tion, led them through gloomy forests, and impassable swamps, 
until they reached the Appalachee country, where they spent 
the first winter. 

The next year they traversed the state of Georgia north- 
ward, and north to the Altamaha river, thence they were led 
northwest to the barren country of the Cherokees; thence 
down the valley to the Coosa river; thence southwest down the 
Alabama valley toivard its junction with the Tombigbee, 
where a most terrible disaster from a desperate attack by an 
immense number of Indian warriors, befell them. Many 
were killed, and all baggage, stores and equipment burned. 

From the scene of this reverse, in mid-winter, they 
traveled northwestward, and spent the greater part of the 
second winter in North Mississippi. 

During the time the expedition remained here, they were 
attacked by a large body of Chickasaws; lost several men and 
much of what remained in the way of supplies. Many of 
their horses were also killed, and nearly all their clothing 
burned. 

The hostile and determined savages harrassed them in- 
cessantly on all their marches and encampments, and every 
day's operations diminished the number of DeSoto's band. 

Discouraged from so many reverses and serious losses, 
they changed their course, and traveled north, toward the 
Mississippi river, which they crossed in rudely constructed 



18 The Life and Writings of 

craft, and with the wreck of his once hopeful army went north- 
west, in the direction of the Ozark mountains, in Arkansas. 

Here they spent the third winter, then returned to the 
Mississippi river, where DeSoto died from disease superin- 
duced by excessive exposure and hunger. Thus deprived of an 
intrepid leader, the expedition abandoned all further thought 
of conquest, and directed their course west, toward the Span- 
ish settlement. Only fifty ever reached their point of desti- 
nation. Thus ended the third well-planned, and well-equipped 
expedition, to conquer and subdue the savage tribes of the 
New World. 

From this time on, for a period of one hundred and thirty- 
nine years, various efforts to establish colonies and settle this 
unbroken wilderness, were made with varying measures of 
success, but all these attempts were peaceable in character. 

In 1681 the celebrated French navigator and explorer, 
LaSalle, descended the Mississippi river from Canada, touched 
at Natchez, and on account of the warlike demonstrations of 
the hostile natives, hastened on toward the Gulf of Mexico, 
and sailed away. Returning in 1685, he attempted to estab- 
lish a colony at the mouth of the Mississippi river, missed his 
reckoning, sailed too far east, landed on the coast of Texas, 
discovered his mistake, and attempted to reach his objective 
point by traveling across the state. When he reached Wash- 
ington on the Brazos, the first and last capitol of the Republic 
of Texas, a dispute arose between himself and his men, and he 
was assassinated and buried on the banks of that historic 
stream a short distance east of that once flourishing commercial 
metropolis, and political center. 

The expedition conducted,by Iberville in 1699, and after 
his death prosecuted by Bienville, to forcibly colonize the 
country, met the same "unhappy fate that attended all previous 
efforts. Bienville established his headquarters on the Mobile 
river, constructed forts and stored supplies. 

Internal dissensions and schisms arising in this colony, 
coupled with the annoyance and depredations of the natives, 
caused it to languish, and finally fail in its purpose, although 
more laudable in its object and conservative in its methods 
and character, than any former attempt of a similar nature 



Dr. Rttfus C. Burlesox. 19 

had been. In 1717 he surrendered all authority to his King, 
who conferred all his franchise to the ""Western Company," 
known as the "Mississippi Scheme." 

This effort while not entirely successful made some prog- 
ress. The plan of the company was to introduce European 
colonists, devote themselves to agricultural pursuits, develop 
the productive industries of the country, and so conduct their 
affairs, as to create no friction between themselves and the 
Indian tribes ; .but leave them in undisturbed possession of the 
country, in the northern portion of the states of Mississippi, 
Alabama, and Georgia. 

With the pacific policy of the "Western Company/ 7 and 
other companies to whom grants had been made and franchises 
extended, the European settlers enjoyed greater security of 
life and property. But an occasional outburst of Indian tem- 
per, sometimes for a supposed, and sometimes for a real griev- 
ance, would result in a wholesale and indiscriminate massacre 
of the whites; which would provoke settlers and natives alike, 
to fly to arms, and bloody neighborhood and sectional wars 
ensued. 

'Under the most favorable circumstances, and adhering 
to the most agreeable plans and methods of the Indians, it 
was never entirely safe, for a white man to establish himself 
in this portion of the United States, until after the Creek war 
of 1813. 

Many of the tribes had profited by the thrift and industry 
of the white settlers, had been impressed with their manners 
and customs, and might be said to be civilized in a measure, 
and to an extent; though they entertained feelings of the most 
inveterate and undying hatred toward them. 

Emigrants, attracted by the stories of the marvelous 
wealth and beauties of North Alabama and Georgia, came 
streaming into the country, until at one time, the "Federal 
road" from Mini's Ferry on the Alabama river, to the Chatta- 
hoochee, was completely filled with white settlers, in vehicles 
of every description, seeking favorable locations. 

This spectacle excited the suspicion in the niinds of these 
semi-civilized natives, that they would soon be dispossessed of 



20 The Life akd Writings of 

their country, and mutterings and murmurings of discontent 
were heard on all sides. 

Tecumseh, a powerful and successful Indian warrior, 
assumed the leadership in this hour of disaffection, canvassed 
-all the tribes as far south as Florida, and moved them with his 
matchless and impassioned eloquence, to combine forces, and 
make common cause in staying, and expelling the tide of em- 
migration that was pouring into the country. His speeches 
were telling, they regarded Tecumseh as the greatest warrior 
alive, and that the combined warriors of all the tribes under 
his leadership were capable of successfully coping with any 
people on earth. 

The excitement among all the tribes was soon wrought 
to the frenzied point, and Tecumseh had but to say, and they 
would dare to do. The plan of the war against the whites, 
was first to kill Captain Isaacs and Willaim Mcintosh ; also Lit- 
tle Prince, Spoke Kange, and Tallase Tixeco, all prominent 
chiefs, who were suspected of being traitors to their people; 
and then commence the slaughter of the white settlers and emi- 
grants. 

The Creeks, situated on the Coosa, Tallapoosa and Black 
Warrior rivers were to dispatch the white people on the Ten- 
saw, and Tombigbee rivers. The Cherokees, those on the 
Tennessee. The Georgians were to fall at the hands of the 
lower Creeks and Seminoles, while the people of Alabama and 
Mississippi, were to be murdered by the Choctaws. 

The plan of disposing of the supposed disloyal chiefs, was 
partially executed, and the work of exterminating the scattered 
whites commenced. 

Family after family, became the victims of the bloody 
"tomahawk. Peaceable communities were assaulted, and 
forced to abandon their homes, and seek protection and shelter 
in friendly forests, and everywhere, the people were dis- 
mayed and excited. 

They entertained no thought, however, of tamely sub- 
mitting to the murderous intentions of these frenzied, savage 
people. 

Meetings were held in every place where it was safe to 
hold them; plans were discussed and formulated; measures of 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 21 

protection adopted; hasty, defensive military organizations 
formed; and active resistance to the furious savages com- 
menced. 

The general government was appealed to, to send a mil- 
itary force to protect and prevent the wholesale massacre con- 
templated, and in many places in active progress. But Gen- 
eral Blournoy who had succeeded General Wilkinson in com^ 
mand, refused to send either volunteers, or regular United 
States troops to protect the people. His refusal was without 
justification or reason, since every movement of the Indians 
indicated the immediate destruction of the people of Ala- 
bama, who occupied the most isolated, and defenseless position 
on the entire fronier. 

At this critical juncture after the heroic settlers, with 
improvised means, had engaged in many successful battles, 
General Claiborne came to the rescue, with a command of 
regulars and volunteers; distributed his own and the forces 
organized in the various settlements, to the best advantage, 
and chastised these bloody savages on a dozen fields of battle. 

When the bloody purpose of the Creeks and their allies, 
to massacre all the whites in this section of country, no longer 
admitted of doubt, it became a national question, and General 
Andrew Jackson raised a force of several thousand men, hast- 
ened to the scene of hostilities, engaged these savages and 
blood-thirsty warriors, in battle at Talladega, and many other 
places and finally, completely broke their power, and thwarted 
their sanguinary plans, by defeating them at the battle of 
Horse Shoe, March 27th, 1814. 

Jonathan Burleson commanded a company in Jackson's 
army, and although only a farmer without military experi- 
ence or training, signalized himself in many engagements, and 
was one of Jackson's most valuable and trusted lieutenants. 
It was during this war as a boy of 14 years old that General 
Ed. Burleson who commanded the First Regiment of Texas 
Volunteers at the battle of San Jacinto and distinguished him- 
self on a score of battlefields in Texas, during the struggles 
of the people to shake off the shackles of Mexican thraldom, 
displayed his first military prowess, and prevented Captain 
Jonathan Burleson from falling a victim to Indian treachery. 



22 The Life and Writings of 

The story of this brave boyish exploit as related by Dr. R. C. 
Burleson is as follows : 

The Indians in the beginning of the Creek war, in 1812, 
had murdered three or four families on the north side of 
Tennessee river, near Decatur, Ala. Captain Jonathan Bur- 
leson was ordered to take his "minute men" to pursue and 
chastise them, and secure their plunder. The wily savages 
devised a scheme to entrap and murder their pursuers. They 
concealed their guns, bows and arrows in the grass behind the 
logs and went to cooking, playing ball, drinking, with all the 
appearance of friendly Indians. The "minute men" were to 
be received with great show of friendship, and invited to get 
down and drink with the promise they would join them and 
punish the Indian murderers. Knowing the failing of the 
white man they supposed they would eagerly dismount, lay 
aside their guns and rush around the whisky bottles, then at 
a given signal the leader with a butcher-knife concealed under 
his buckskin hunting shirt was to plunge it in the bosom of 
Captain Burleson, as a signal for the bloody onslaught. 
When the "minute men" rode up, the wily chief rushed out 
with a bottle of whisky, crying, "Bolly sheeley, bolly sheeley" 
— "good friends, good friends" — and invited the white com- 
pany to get down and drink. But to his amazement, the cau- 
tious brave captain ordered his men to draw up in line and 
stand in order. Little Ed. was only 14 years old, and too 
small to carry a gun but his father had furnished him a war 
pony and a splendid holster of pistols to carry on the horn of 
his saddle. 

The wily trick of the savage completely deceived and put 
all "minute men" off their guard. The captain had dis- 
mounted to accept the proffered friendship. But just as the 
stalwart Indian reached out his hand he dropped the bottle, 
jerked out his butcher-knife, and with the ferocity of a leop- 
ard leaped forward to plunge it in the heart of the captain. 
But the ever vigilant captain sprang to one side and the Indian 
was thrown between him and his men. The Indian turned on 
him so suddenly that he could not get the muzzle of his gun 
against the Indian. All the men stood dumb with fear and 
amazement, but little Ed., ever viligant and brave, instantly 



De. Rttfus C. Bueleson. 



23 



spured his pony and rushed up, clapped his pistol to the back 
of the Indian and shot him dead, just as he was ready to 
plunge his knife into the bosom of his Cousin Jonathan. The 
cry was given, "charge boys, charge," and in ten minutes a 
score of Indians lay weltering in their own blood, and the 
booty belonging to the murdered families was recovered. 

Captain Burleson lived with his father, Major John Bur- 
leson, near Lexington, Kentucky, when he volunteered to 
assist in roiling back this wave of Creek butchery and saw 
much of this fine country, which as will be seen in the follow- 
ing chapter, he turned to his personal good. 



24 The Life and Writings of 



CHAPTER III. 



Flint River, North Alabama — Home of Jonathan Burle- 
son — Settles Here in 1814 — Erects a Cabin — Opens 
a Farm — Raises a Large Family— Amasses a Fortune 
— Rufus C. Burleson Born August 7, 1823 — In- 
structed by His Mother — Learns Rapidly — Inci- 
dents and Anecdotes of His Boyhood — Discovers a 
Cave — Plays Detective. 



^1 HE east fork of Flint river rises in the southeastern 
part of Morgan county, North Alabama. The west 
fork has its source in the southeastern portion of 
Lawrence county. These beautiful and rapid flowing streams 
form a confluence a few miles below Decatur, which flows 
east, deflects to the northeast and pours its purling waters into 
the Tennessee. 

From its source to its mouth it forms a loop or stirrup 
in its course, and is celebrated for its loveliness and beauty. 
On the east side of this river, and at the bottom of this loop, 
so to speak, a most beautiful and fertile valley spreads along 
the shore, and eastward until it pushes itself against a hill 
with perpendicular bluffs, several hundred feet high, a spur 
of the Allegheny mountains. 

This valley is covered with stately oaks, rugged hickories, 
and chestnut trees on whose sides vines cling and climb, un- 
folding their bright beautiful blooms high in the air. Phlox, 
columbine, digitalis and marigold cover the ground, making 
the landscape radiant with beauty, and the air redolent with 
delightful fragrance. 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 25 

In season, walnuts, hickory nuts, chestnuts and hazlennts 
can be gathered in any quantity; and grapes, muscadines, 
dewberries, whortleberries and blackberries grow in great 
perfection and abundance. 

The yellow jassamine and crab apple are faultless in their 
beauty, and were great favorites among these border settlers. 
Great fern cling to the soil in the rocky clefts, and swing with 
matchless grace from hillside and river bank. The great 
variety of wild flowers of various coloring and tints, the great 
variety of shrubs and forest growth, clothed in foliage of 
various verdant shades, springs gushing from mountain sides, 
with the waters of Flint river laughing and singing as they 
pass, all add charm and attractiveness to this place of unriv- 
aled beauty. 

On the 17th of September, 1813, Jonathan Burleson and 
Elizabeth Byrd, the latter a sister of Governor William Adair 
of Kentucky, and grand daughter of Sir William Byrd, 
founder of Richmond and Petersburg, Virginia, and for years 
president of the royal council, were happily married near 
Lexington, Kentucky. 

After the close of the Creek war in 1814, together they 
journeyed on horseback, through an unbroken wilderness to 
this favored place, and commenced the work of building a 
home. A rude cabin was hastily built out of material cut on 
the ground, and this young and tenderly raised bride had her 
first experience in housekeeping, while her husband engaged 
in felling the forest monarchs, preparatory to opening a farm. 
All the^ household effects of this couple were brought with 
them on horseback, and a broken oven was utilized as two 
cooking utensils, one for the meat, the other for the hoe-cake. 

They planted two weeping willows in the back yard, and 
pledged each other that under these they would live and labor 
while their hearts were young, and in their shade would be 
buried when their lives on earth were ended. This young 
and devoted couple little thought they were making history in 
their frontier home, the facts of which would be woven into 
a pleasant story, and read through all the untold ages to come. 

All pioneers, it is said have built wiser than they knew, 
this was never truer of any young couple than of Jonathan 
Burleson and his blushing Kentucky bride, Elizabeth Byrd. 



26 



The Life and Writings of 



Here, where nature had been so lavish in the bestowment 
of its wealth, on the 7th day of August, 1823, Rufus C. Burle- 
son, the sixth child, and subject of this memoir was born. 
These proud young parents knew that by the genius of our 
civil and social institutions that distinction was won, and not 
inherited, and that there was nothing in the circumstance of 
birth to prevent young Rufus, or any American youth from 
ascending to the topmost . round of the ladder of fame. 
Though they perhaps little dreamed that to them on that 
August day, in those trackless wilds, a son had been born, 




JONATHAN BURLESON. 

whose fame as a foundation builder, and educator would some 
day fill the world. 

The Burlesons at this time were busy people; Capt. Bur- 
leson in superintending, enlarging and improving his planta- 
tion, and Mrs. Burleson in managing her enlarged household 
and domestic affairs. The population in this section of 
country after the settlement of the Indian troubles, had in- 
creased very rapidly. Neighbors were more accessible, social 
privileges enjoyed, schools were opened, and churches organ- 
ized. To all these interests Captain Burleson and his wife 
devoted much time, notwithstanding which fact, they found 
leisure to bestow every necessary attention to training their 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 27 

large family of six children. As time could be cnatched from 
their active duties during the day, and often at night by a 
flickering pine knot fire, they were carefully instructed in 
the rudiments, and a most substantial foundation thus laid for 
a finished education. Which, be it said to the credit of these 
brave Alabama pioneers, all of their large family of thirteen 
children received in after life. 

The spirit of usefulness seems to have been inherent in 
young Rufus, a characteristic that followed him through life. 
""Better wear out, than rust out," being one of his mottoes. 
As a mere toddler he assisted his mother in her domestic 
affairs in every way possible, and when older and 
larger, he manifested the same interest in his father's man- 
agement of the plantation. He made it a point to see that 
the pigs were never neglected, that the calves received proper 
attention, and the colts were carefully handled. He gathered 
the pears and other fruit for his mother, carried the spun yarn 
to the weaver, and "home spun" being the only reliance for 
clothing on this frontier in these early times, would return 
with cloth in a jubilant spirit, knowing it would be cause for 
joy to every member of the family. 

One of Dr. Burleson's most marked characteristics as a 
man, was his continuity of purpose, and loyalty to a plan. 
He never dismissed a subject from his mind until his object 
was accomplished. This was an innate element of character, 
as a little story of his child life forcibly illustrates. Just 
before retiring one night, when he was only six years old, his 
mother called him to her and said, "Rufus, some friends are 
to spend the day with us to-morrow, and I want you to get up 
early and clean off the front yard- nicely." 

Being not only an obedient boy, but also anxious to com- 
ply with his mother's wishes, he promised to do so and retired. 
He was soon sleeping sweetly, and during the night, at what 
hour he did not himself know, nor did any member of the 
family, he got up, swept the yard and returned to his bed. 
His mother was awakened by some noise made when he came 
in, and called, but being asleep he did not answer; she was 
much surprised next morning to find the yard in "apple pie 
order," and knew it was the work of young Rufus done during 



28 The Life and Writings of 

the night while sound asleep. £To member of the family was 
more amazed when informed of his nocturnal performance 
than young Rufus, and only remarked that he retired and fell 
asleep with his mother's request, to put the yard in order, on 
his mind. 

Few men in public life have been endowed with more 
marked and decided characteristic than Dr. Burleson. Among- 
other innate traits, it may be stated, that he was a born detec- 
tive, which quality stood him in splendid stead in controllings 
the vast educational interests committed to his management 
in after life in Mississippi, and Texas. One incident in his 
childhood furnishes an illustration of this natural talent. 

His mother for some time had suspected the old colored 
cook of "holding out" choice morsels of dainty dishes for her- 
self and children, and mentioned her suspicions in little Ruf us* 
presence. He felt a personal interest in the matter, for the 
reason that the peach pie, one of the dishes in which the "short- 
age" was noticed, was his favorite dessert, which it may be 
parenthetically mentioned, continued to be his favorite until 
the day of his death. 

Without saying anything of his intention, he resolved 
to discover the culprit that gave his mother cause for com- 
plaint, and devised the following plan : 

Just before the noon hour, when he knew the cook would 
be preparing to send dinner into the dining hall, Rufus pro- 
vided himself with an auger, and with the assistance of a lad* 
der, climbed to the top of the residence, made his way noise- 
lessly to the roof of the L just over the kitchen, bored a hole 
through the shingles, and with one eye watched the cook as 
she manipulated the various dishes. 

His method of detection was a splendid success. He 
soon saw the old servant placing a good portion of every nice 
dish she had prepared for the meal in a tin bucket, which when 
filled, she placed in an obscure corner. 

He descended quietly from the house top, reported the 
facts to his mother, who complimented her 6-year-old son's 
tact, prevented the shortage thereafter, and for months re- 
warded young Rufus with a double portion of peach pie for his 
discovery. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 29 

Rufus, while always willing to perform his part of house- 
hold chores and assist his mother in every possible way, was 
not in the least effeminate in disposition or character; on the 
contrary he was a very manly boy, fond of the forest and out- 
door life. 

Assisting his father on the plantation was much more 
in harmony with his taste, than rendering household service. 
All through life he insisted that no man ever became too wise 
nor filled a station so exalted as to enjoy immunity from honor- 
able work. 

"With him "know something of everything, and every- 
thing of something," was a favorite, practical, philosophical 
precept, 










THE OLD MOUNTAIN HOME, ALABAMA. 

His fondness for outdoor life however, did not incline 
him to hunt and fish, as is the case with a majority of boys, 
^especially on the border where fish and game are abundant. 
He explored the woods, not only in the immediate vicinity of 
his father's plantation, but for miles around in every direc- 
tion. 

He knew where the best nuts and berries could be found 
in largest quantity, the precise location of every muscadine 
and grape vine, could inform the family where the choicest 
wild fruit grew, and would escort his sisters where wild flowers 
Moomed in greatest profusion and attained greatest perfection. 



30 The Life and Writings of 

His mind turned somewhat toward exploration, and mak- 
ing investigations of natural objects remarkably accurate for 
one of his years. He knew Flint river and contiguous territory 
on both sides east and west for miles; could name the exact 
spot where the blue water was deepest, the current swiftest; 
where the stateliest oaks were standing, the cliffs and jutting 
peaks most rugged, and the scenery most sublime. 

Every cavern was carefully explored, and every natural 
phenomenon investigated. All these things he reported to the 
family, and the story of his rambles and discoveries among 
the hills, and in the forest during the day, were sources of 
much interest and entertainment around the fireside, when the 
shades of night came on, and the beauty and brightness of 
the world were for a time shut out. 

It was young Rufus who discovered near his father's 
homestead one of the most remarkable caves in North Ala- 
bama, and which, but for the fact that it has been overlooked 
by Geologists, would have become one of the most famous on. 
the continent. 

Captain Burleson continued to occupy the little cabin 
in the valley for seven or eight years after settling on Flint 
river, making additions and enlargements as the necessities of 
his increasing family required. In 1827 he erected an im- 
posing and commodious two-story dwelling on the bluff east 
of his plantation, which commanded an unobstructed view, of 
an unbroken sweep of country for miles. 

On one of his daily rambles among the rugged hills 
surrounding the home, the discovery was made, the cavern 
explored and partially investigated. It was on the side of a 
mountain, not very extensive in dimensions, but on a more 
thorough examination was found to possess some very re- 
markable peculiarities. 

It was plainly the result of an upheaval, which fractured 
and dislocated the oolitic strata, the walls of which had been 
dressed perfectly smooth by an air current, which came in a 
strong cool draft from unknown subterranean depths. The 
most remarkable feature of little Bufus' discovery ivas, this 
air current was so cold, that a uniform temperature of 30 de- 



Dr. Bufus C. Burleson. 31 

grees was maintained during the entire heated period, and the 
properties of the cave conformed in all respects, to a modern 
refrigerator. 

Captain Burleson utilized it, as a cold storage room, 
where meat, fruits, vegetables, milk and butter were kept 
fresh and sweet during the entire summer. 

Notwithstanding his enthusiastic love for laughing 
brooks, radiant flowers, giant oaks, tangled jungles, spreading 
valleys, rugged hills, towering mountains, and all animate as 
well as inanimate nature, he did not permit his rambles and 
communion with these objects to interfere with his studies. 



" 




COLD CAVE. 

He gladly accepted his mother's offers of instruction, and 
applied himself with diligence. At this early age he was an 
apt pupil and developed many of the qualities of a student. 

He made most marked progress, his taste leading, dis- 
tinctly in the direction of the languages, literature and phil- 
osophy. 

As is always the case with home instruction, young Buf us 
had ample time to read when the daily work with his text- 
books was over, and, for a child, he may be said to have been 
an omniverous reader. He commenced by reading "Peter 
Parley" and other standard history and biography, and very 



32 The Life and Whitings of 

soon the family noticed him poring over some of the classics 
with intense interest and absorbing attention. 

!Not only was his literary education carefully watched 
at home, but his "grand father' 7 and "angel mother" (terms 
Dr. Burleson always used when referring to his parents) 
impressed on his mind the importance of habits of industry, 
as applied to the higher, as well as the lower spheres of 
life. They also used every occasion and current event 
to instill lofty moral principles into his young heart, and were 
so successful in this, the very highest source of all instruc- 
tion, that every fiber in his body was so saturated with high 
ideals in life that on the seventy-second anniversary 
of his birth he could say, "I praise the Father of all Mercies 
for a wise, loving and industrious Mother and Father, who by 
precept and example taught me the precious value of health 
and time, and fired my young heart with ardent love for 
truth, love for God and devotion to my native land. I 
praise him that under their tender and wise teaching and ex- 
ample I shunned the destructive vices of boyhood. I have 
never taken but one chew of tobacco; I never swore but one 
oath; I never took a drink of whiskey; never danced a step; 
never played a game of cards; never was on a race track, nor 
visited a theater, and in purity my life has been spotless." 

The world's annals of family government would be 
vainly, fruitlessly searched for a grander encomium upon the 
results of parental training and instruction. 




Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 33 



CHAPTER IV. 



Early Educational Advantages of North Alabama — 
Rufus Enters a District School — Rapid Advance- 
ment — Attends Summerville Academy — School at 
Danville — Death of His Mother — Conversion and 
Baptism — Ambition to be a Lawyer — Impressions to 
Preach — Enters Nashville University — Licensed to 
Preach — Health Fails — Returns to His Father's 
Farm. 



/k S is the case with all frontier countries, the educational 
SE^g affairs in North Alabama were in their embryonic 
SsisJ condition at this early period in the State's history. 
District schools were opened at various times in the Burleson 
neighborhood on Flint River, one of which young Rufus en- 
tered at the age of seven years. He continued to attend these 
"old field schools" at intervals, and as they happened to be 
taught, for seven years. Notwithstanding many interrup- 
tions, he applied himself, and advanced rapidly in these primi- 
tive courses. 

Only the rudiments were taught in these district schools, 
not because these bright frontier boys and girls were wanting 
in either application or the capacity to learn, but for the reason 
that it was all these adventurous pedagogues could teach. 

In 1837 he entered Summerville Academy, a school 
founded some years before. At this time is was conducted by 
Prof. A. B. Wattson, a man of scholarly attainments. 

The great majority of men possess sufficient receptive 
talent to take on a fair education, but possess no power of 



34 The Life and Writings of 

impartation. Teachers, like poets, are born, not made. Prof. 
Wattson was not only a scholar, but possessed also the other 
indispensable requisite of the successful teacher — the power of 
imparting instruction. As an evidence that this estimate of 
Prof. Wattson's ability as a teacher is not overdrawn, it may 
be stated that he was called from Summerville Academy to a 
professorship in Nashville University, a school of such high 
standing and so favorably known throughout the country that 
only scholarship and general fitness were considered when a 
chair in the university was to be filled. 

Young Burleson was now fourteen years old; he was fully 
conscious of the importance of an education, and had long 
since determined to make any reasonable sacrifice and to per- 
form any service in his power to obtain it. He needed no 
incentive or stimulus; the opportunity was all he craved or 
desired. In Summerville Academy, under Prof. Wattson's 
instruction, this opportunity was enjoyed. 

The curriculum Was far in advance of anything he had 
undertaken up to that time, but he stood at the head of all his 
classes, and advanced rapidly. For his aptitude he was highly 
complimented, and for his industry and diligence most warmly 
commended. 

He remained in Summerville Academy nearly two years, 
and after a short interval of rest, spent with his father, in 1839, 
he entered a select school near Danville, taught by Dr. Sims. 
Owing to the death of his mother, July 12th, 1839, his attend- 
ance at this school was brief. Immediately after receiving 
this sad news, he returned to his home, a weeping, heart-broken 
boy. He employed his time in study and work on the farm 
until September, when he entered a school at Decatur, six 
miles from his father's plantation, conducted by Prof. J. S. 
Perkins. 

His studies were pursued in this school in a half-hearted, 
listless way, owing to his severe domestic affliction, and he 
made frequent visits from Decatur to his home, that he might 
place fresh flowers on the tomb of his sainted mother, and 
review the scenes where so many happy hours had been spent 
in her 'delightful companionship. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 



35 



He had always been a boy of a high sense of moral pro- 
priety, and most exemplary life, but had never made a profes- 
sion of religion. It was during one of these visits to his family 
that he attended a revival meeting, conducted in the neighbor- 
hood by Reverends W. H. Holcombe and Leonard H. Milli- 
ken, that he became deeply impressed. The sermon under 
which he received the impression that "led him from nature's 
darkness to the marvelous light and liberty of the gospel 77 was 
preached by Rev. Dr. Porter, a minister of the Cumberland 
Presbyterian Church. 

He was converted on the 21st of April, 1839, in his six- 
teenth year, a few days after which he was baptized in Flint 




FLJNT RIVER, WHERE DR. BURLESON WAS BAPTIZED. 

River, the ordinance being administered by Rev. W. H. Hol- 
combe. Dr. Burleson was a man of decided convictions. He 
often expressed an off-hand opinion, and in heated controver- 
sies used unguarded expressions, of which he repented. But 
in forming his plans he deliberated carefully, and often spent 
days in fasting and prayer before reaching conclusions. After 
his plans were thus formed, no man ever adhered to a purpose 
with more dogged determination. For his convictions and 
principles he was ready to fight, and upon every battlefield 
proved to be a foeman worthy of his steel. 



36 The Life and Writings of 

His conversion was an epoch in his life, a turning point 
upon which the destiny of important interests hung. It was 
the occasion of the first great battle he ever fought, and thai 
battle was between himself and his plans in life. 

Up to this time his ambition had been to become a great 
lawyer and statesman, and all his training at home and in the 
•school room had been with this end in view. He had read 
with rapt attention of the overpowering eloquence of Patrick 
Henry, who gave the first impulse to the American revolution 
•of 1776, and how this great orator unhorsed every opponent 
•in his celebrated speech, in defense of some- Baptist preachers, 
charged in the courts of Virginia with the offense of preach- 
ing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, contrary to the law. He had 
read also of the masterly eloquence of John C. Calhoun and 
Daniel Webster in parliamentary debate and forensic efforts 
in the courts of the country. He had also read of how the 
peerless Sergeant S. Prentiss had swayed the multitudes, in 
the political arena, until every fiber, cartilage and filament in 
his young body burned with ambition to stand in the front 
rank of American lawyers, statesmen and orators. 

But with his conversion come also the impression to 
preach. The struggle between this impression and his settled 
purpose was on in earnest. The conflict was short, but sharp; 
he yielded to the call, and consecrated his talent to the work 
of redeeming lost souls. His ardor and burning zeal was 
undiminished, but his whole purpose in life being changed, 
all his plans must be remodeled and his course of instruction 
revised. 

In 1840 he matriculated in Nashville University, and 
began to prepare himself for entrance into a theological semi- 
nary. While in Nashville, on the 12th of November, 1840, 
he was licensed to preach the Gospel by the Baptist Church 
of which that celebrated theologian and scholar, Dr. R. B. C. 
Howell, was pastor, who at the time predicted a career of use- 
fulness and brilliant future for the young licentiate. 

He was now a thoroughly changed young man. Life 
was no less rosy, but presented a far more beautiful hue. The 
prospect and picture that now filled and thrilled the innermost 



Dr. Rttfus C. Burleson. 3T 

recesses of his soul was not the sober faces of Supreme Court 
Judges, as he discussed some profound principle of law, or the 
excited multitude as he debated some irritating political ques- 
tion from the hustings; but, instead, the serious face of his 
Redeemer, as lie swung on the cross, blood percolating from 
His Divine Body, trickling down His side, and an unredeemed 
world whirling into the vortex of eternal ruin around him. 

Instead of the wild cheering of the tumultuous rabble, 
and the plaudits of men, after scoring a telling political 
triumph, he heard the words of David, "It is God that girdeth 
me with strength, and maketh my way perfect." 

He remained in Nashville University until the summer 
of 1841, when his health gave way, as a result of close applica- 
tion and confinement. This was a matter of sincere regret to 
the faculty of the university, as it not only delayed, but inter- 
fered with his preparation for the contemplated theological 
course. 

Dr. Burleson was not of robust physical development aa 
a man, but as a boy he was fleshy and of fine physique. As a 
result of bad health, he was now an emaciated, cadaverous, 
strippling youth of seventeen. Physicians had no hope of his 
recovery, but advised that he be taken out of Nashville, as a 
means of prolonging his life. This was a great trial to this 
young and ambitious boy, but he deferred to the advice of his 
physicians, went to his father's farm, and in a short time, con- 
trary to all expectations and predictions, commenced to 
improve. 

His thirst for knowledge never abated during his con- 
finement, although denied all access to his books. During the 
period of convalescence he employed his time in studying 
Greek, Hebrew, and Bible history, and when his recovery was 
thought to be complete, he decided to re-enter Nashville Uni- 
verstiy. This both his father and family physician opposed, 
as they felt, convinced that to return to school meant certain 
death. 

His father reminded him of the resolution he made when 
he entered Nashville University, that he would become the 
first scholar in it, or come out in his coffin, and his narrow 



38 The Life and Writings of 

escape from death. His greai life purpose burned like fire in 
his bones, and he resisted every argument and met every objec- 
tion. His father insisted that he wab fairly well educated 
already, and if he would abandon all thought of sacrificing 
his life by returning to college, he would deed him a good 
farm, give him hands to cultivate it, and he could settle down 
to the life of a "farmer preacher," protect his health > and do 
much good at the same time. This offer was also promptly 
declined. 

On one occasion Rufus went with his father to hear a 
presiding elder preach on baptism, in reply to an uneducated 
Baptist preacher, who had been guilty of baptizing some half- 
dozen of his most prominent members, amid the usual jeers, 
ridicule and sneers heaped upon the Baptists of that day for 
their ignorance and bigotry. The impassioned preacher held 
up a Greek Testament and said : "Here is a wonderful book. 
It is wonderful for two reasons. First, it is written in the 
Greek, a language that God selected from among the babbling 
tongues of earth in which to give to man his last will and tes- 
tament. But more wonderful, in the second place, from the 
fact that those who do not know a letter in it can understand 
it far better than those who have spent their lives in studying 
it. I will give this Greek Testament to any Baptist preacher 
in North Alabama, or the Tennessee Valley, who can read one 
line in it, or that knows the Greek letter beta from a partridge 
track, and yet these Baptist Solomons know all about Baptizo, 
Rantizo, Echeo, and I, who have studied it so long, do not 
know one thing." Rufus reminded his father that when the 
congregation laughed, under these withering criticisms of the 
denomination to which he belonged, he hung his head in 
shame, not that the insinuations were either true or just, but 
that there was even an excuse for making them. "My soul," 
Rufus said, "burned as young David's did when Goliath 
derided Israel, and Israel's God, and I want to so prepare 
myself as a preacher as to make it impossible to cast such reflec- 
tions on God's Church and Baptist people." 

Capt. Burleson was most profoundly impressed with his 
son's argument, pleased with his laudable purpose and lofty 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 



39 



ambition, but was not convinced that he could stand the 
close application and confinement of college life. He still 
withheld his consent for his son to return to Nashville. 

Rufus remained on the farm, doing some work, taking 
much outdoor exercise, and pursuing his studies, until 1842, 
when his health was fully restored, and his strength regained. 




40 The Life and "Whitings oe 



CHAPTER V 




Young Rufus Anxious to Return to the University at 
Nashville — His Father Objects, Fearing his Health 
Would Again Fail — Compromise — Teaches in Mis- 
sissippi Five Years — First Contract — Called to the 
Pastorate — Ordination by the Catalpa Baptist 
Church, June 8 th, 1845 — Dr. Wm. Carey Crane 
Clerk of the Council. 

R. BURLESON was as eager as ever to return to col- 
lege, but, fearing his health would again be jeop- 
ardized by the sedentary life of a student, his father 
not only advised against such a course, but was obdurate in his 
objection. The son's zeal for a finished education was una* 
bated, but he knew from his experience in college training that 
much profit was derived from reviewing courses of instruction. 
He appealed to his father to allow him to teach until, in his 
judgment, it would be safe to resume his studies in the univer- 
sity. 

It was not in his mind to dissemble, nor to practice any 
deception on his father, and told him very frankly that while 
engaged in teaching he would carefully observe all rules in 
any way conducive to his health, but would keep up his studies 
while teaching, and thus accomplish a triple purpose. 

First. He would be able to take up his studies in the 
university without any hiatus in the course. 

Second. Build up his constitution, so that he would be 
strong enough to stand the confinement of college life. 



Dr. Rttftts C. Burleson. 41 

Third. "Would earn money enough to be self -sustaining 
when he returned to the university in Nashville. 

Capt. Burleson was impressed with the wisdom of his 
ambitious son's plan, and consented for him to teach. 

This, however, effected only a partial settlement of the 
trouble. Young Burleson was not prepared to seek or accept 
a professorship in any of the higher and well established 
schools of the country; besides, a position in the faculty of any 
of the existing institutions, situated as they were in the cen- 
ters of population, would be subject, to some extent, to the 
same objection that had been urged to his re-entering college. 

The population of North Alabama and adjoining States 
was scattered, so that however anxious the people might be 
for neighborhood schools, pupils enough could not be found in 
any one community to justify a teacher in giving the school 
any considerable portion of his time. 

Young Burleson was not discouraged by these conditions, 
but, on the contrary, rather stimulated to pursue and press his 
purpose. 

After consulting and corresponding with friends in sev- 
eral States, a small school was secured in Itawamba County, 
Mississippi. Although only nineteen years old, without expe- 
rience as a teacher, and much embarrassed by being thus 
thrown among strangers, he managed the school like a veteran 
disciplinarian and pedagogue, and gave entire satisfaction to 
the patrons. 

Here he remained only one year, and in 1842 removed 
to Fulton, the county seat, where he opened another school. 

The attendance in Fulton was much larger than in the 
country where he had taught in 1841, and his patrons were 
among the most prominent families in the place. The school 
flourished far beyond Mr. Burleson's expectations, or that of 
the friends and patrons, so much so that the building in which 
it was opened was totally inadequate to accommodate the 
attendance. In the latter part of the year a larger and more 
suitable academy building was erected. 

He had now taught two years in this section of the State, 
one year in the Clifton community and one in Fulton. The 



42 The Life and Writings of 

schools in both places had been managed with such marked 
ability, and with so mnch satisfaction to patron and pupil, 
that both as a teacher and young unordained preacher he had 
made quite a reputation. 

Unsolicited offers of schools came streaming on him, until 
it became a question, not where can I secure a place to teach, 
but what offer shall I accept. 

Dr. A. B. Russell, of Starkville, a Presbyterian preacher, 
a warm personal friend of Capt. Jonathan Burleson's family, 
who had heard of his friend's success as a teacher in the piney 
woods of Itawamba County, and more lately at Fulton, 
insisted on him coming to Starkville, and taking the school in 
Mayhew prairie, some miles in the country. 

Acting on Dr. Russell's advice, he moved to that place in 
1843. This change proved to be in many respects, in fact, 
altogether, most fortunate. The Mayhew prairie community 
was composed of wealthy and influential citizens, and the 
school which Mr. Burleson contracted to teach was to prepare 
the sons and daughters of these wealthy people for entrance 
into some of the higher institutions of learning in the State. 
The position was one of some delicacy and much responsibil- 
ity, which the following contract shows he assumed with much 
deliberation and business care : 

Articles of Agreement. 

I, R. C. Burleson, propose to teach a school in Mayhew 
Prairie, Mississippi, for a term of five months, commencing 
on the first Monday in November, to be taught in the Baptist 
meeting house, near B. Moore's residence, and to teach the fol- 
lowing branches at the following prices : 

Reading, spelling and writing, $1.00 per scholar, per 
month. Arithmetic, English Grammar and Geography, 
$1.25 per scholar, per month. Botany, moral, mental and 
natural philosophy, $2.00 per scholar, per month. Latin, 
beginners in Greek and political economy, $3.00 per scholar, 
per month. All of which, I bind myself to teach to the best 
of my ability, to suppress vice and encourage virtue, and to 
preserve good order in school. 



De. Kufus C. Burlesox. 43 

We, the undersigned subscribers, on our part agree to 
employ said Burleson to teach said school for us, on the above 
specified terms and conditions. "We also agree, that said Bur- 
leson shall be allowed to make up all lost time, or to deduct 
the same from his wages. We also agree to furnish a com- 
fortable house with seats, and that every scholar in school 
shall be under the rules of said Burleson. We also agree to 
pay said Burleson the amounts which we have subscribed, on, 
or before the first day of April next. October 5th, 1842. 

John Clifton, Wm. Medles, B. G-. Moore, Thos. Middle- 
ton, James Gressom, John Carnes, Henry Clifton, Allen Bide, 
Edward Maxey, J. N", Edwards, James McMece, James 
Bromby. 

The school opened at the time stated in the contract, with 
twenty-five pupils; and while Mr. Burleson had just attained 
his majority, and owing to the high standing of the patrons, 
consented to teach it with much trepidation, he met every re- 
quirement, and easily exceeded the expectations of the people. 

Many of the pupils who entered this school were well 
advanced in all branches, but more especially the languages, 
and Mr. Burleson, to keep in advance of the classes, was forced 
to apply himself closely, but he referred to the school in enthu- 
siastic terms of praise in after years, and his arduous labors as 
"delightful toil." 

It was while filling this position that new and weighty 
responsibilities were thrust upon him. He had been licensed 
to preach, as stated, by the Church in Nashville, December 
12th, 1840, but had never submitted to ordination. He had 
supplied pastorless churches in that vicinity, with much accept- 
ance, and had conducted several successful revivals in addi- 
tion to his work in the school room. One of the churches 
which he supplied, situated in Mayhew prairie, only a few 
miles from where he was teaching, increased in two years, 
under his ministry, from seven members to eighty-four, and 
was said to be one of the best country churches in Mississippi. 
Notwithstanding his extensive and successful work as a young 
minister, he had never been installed as the pastor of any 
-church, nor administered the ordinances. 



44 The Life and Writings of 

Eev. M. Bennett, pastor of Pilgrim Kest and Mount 
Lebanon Churches, one situated twelve and the other fourteen 
miles from Mayhew, had tendered his resignation. 

Without any solicitation on his part, or his friends, so 
far as is known, Mr. Burleson was unanimously called to both 
these pastorates. So anxious were they for him to accept the- 
cal!, large committees, composed of the most prominent, pious,, 
and influential members, were appointed to visit him at May- 
hew, formally notify him of the action of these churches, and 
urge his acceptance. 

Hon. Isham Harrison was chairman of the two commit- 
tees, and these committees visited Mayhew, and, upon the 
invitation of Mr. Burleson, repaired with him to the residence 
of Dr. Wells A. Thompson, where, after a season of prayer,, 
they discussed the matter most solemnly until 12 o'clock. 

Mr. Burleson informed them that he had consecrated his? 
life to one grand mission, and wanted to return to college just 
as soon as circumstances would permit, to lay a broad and deep 
foundation for that life work. He told the committee that he 
would gladly supply their pulpits, as he had others, until such 
time as they might choose a pastor. 

The committee insisted that he should accept the call,, 
submit to ordination, and enter at once upon the official dis- 
charge of his duties as pastor; that God was plainly directing 
and leading in the matter, and as a minister of the gospel he 
could not refuse. 

Moved by the tears and entreaties of this earnest band of 
pious brethren, and the arguments presented which he coulcj 
not answer, he told them he would keep the matter under 
advisement a few days, and give them a final answer at the 
next conference meeting of their churches. 

While having the call under consideration, Rev. W. H. 
Holcombe, who had baptized Mr. Burleson in 1837, and who- 
was now pastor of the church at Aberdeen, Mississippi, came to 
Mayhew prairie, and spent the night with him at his boarding 
house. This trusted friend and valuable counselor on many 
former occasions, advised him to accept this work, which, ir» 
addition to the good he might accomplish, would enable him 
to accumulate experience that would be valuable in after lif e„ 



De. Rufus C. Burleson. 45 

To all these importunities he finally yielded, accepted 
the calls to Mount Lebanon, Pi]grim Eest and Mayhew 
Prairie, which last-named Church had also called him. 

His acceptance was based on the condition that he was to 
be released as soon as he was ready to re-enter the university 
at Nashville. 

A council for his ordination was called, and after the 
usual sermon, examination, etc., the following certificate was 
issued, which is here reproduced verbatim, for the reason the 
facts cannot be more succinctly stated : 

To all whom it may concern: 

This is to certify that the subscribers, being a council, 
convened by request of the Catalpa Baptist Church, in the 
•County of Octibbeha, and State of Mississippi, for the pur- 
pose of setting apart the bearer hereof, Rufus C. Burleson, to 
the sacred office of the gospel ministry, and being satisfied with 
his piety, views of religious truth, and call to the work, did on 
the 8th day of June, 1845, in the presence of the Baptist 
Church and congregation in the town of Starkville, in the 
aforesaid State, solemnly ordain to the full work of the minis- 
try, by imposition of hands, prayer and other suitable exercise, 
'Our brother, Rufus C. Burleson, and as such recommend him 
to favor and acceptance with the household of faith every- 
where. 

SAMUEL McGOWEN, Moderator. 

¥1. CAREY CRANE, Clerk. 

J. C. KINNEY, 

W. H. HOLCOMBE. 

It is a most singular coincidence that Dr. Burleson and 
Dr. "Wm. Carey Crane, the clerk of the council, should have 
drifted "West in the course of years, and become Presidents of 
rival universities in the same State. 



4G The Life and "Writings of 



CHAPTER VI 



Me. Burleson Teaches in Mississippi from 1841 to 1845 — 
Pursues His Studies — Called to the Pastorate — Dr. 
Alexander Campbell — Wave of Religious Disaffec- 
tion — Mr. Burleson Enters the Field of Polemics — 
Doctrinal Sermons — Articles in the Tennessee Bap- 
tist — Meets W. IT. Muse, a Classmate — A Warm 
Discussion — Formula for Killing Baptists — Resigns 
as Teacher and Pastor — Parting Between Preacher,. 
Parishioner, Parent and Pupil. 



*T* HE four years spent by Mr. Burleson in Mississippi 

£5pS5 from 1841 to 1845 were cvrowded with business and 
^^^ 9 were exceedingly rich in experience. In addition to 
his duties as teacher, preacher, pastor and student, giving all 
necessary attention to the social demands made on his time, 
he kept up and completed an extensive course of systematic 
reading; thus storing away a vast fund of information which 
served him admirably through life. 

It was while in Mayhew amidst other multitudinous 
duties he entered the field of polemics, and signalized himself 
as a debater. He was not naturally of a disputatious disposi- 
tion, and avoided all controversies as far as possible, until his 
principles were assailed. Even then, he was not violent, in- 
temperate or extreme in his methods of discussion, but his 
style persuasive, without passion, yet firm. 

Dr. Alexander Campbell, a dissenter from all forms of 
established religion in England, emigrated to America in 
1812. He renounced his Presbyterian affiliations, connected 



Dr. Rtjfus C. Burleson. 47 

himself with the Baptist with whom he worked in harmony 
for several years. 

Some differences and disagreements arose between him- 
self and this denomination which could not be reconciled and 
Dr. Campbell withdrew from the Baptists and was, for a time 
an independent preacher. His labors as an independent min- 
ister were confined, to western Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Vir- 
ginia, making frequent preaching tonrs through the southern 
states. 

By his power on the platform, and serial publications 
"The Christian Baptist" and "Millennial Harbinger" he 
attracted public attention, and finally controlled a powerful 
constituency. In 1827, his converts and adherents com- 
menced to secede, or withdraw from the denominations with 
which they had been co-operating and form separate churches, 
which were christened "Disciples of Christ." 

Dr. Campbell was a great power as an orator and debater 
continued to preach, was very aggressive, and the wave of 
religious disaffection which he originated increased until it 
swept over Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and 
some other southern states with a force that portended, for a. 
time, the disruption of many existing religious institutions. 

He seemed to be more hostile toward the Baptist than 
any other denomination, and Baptist churches suffered more 
from his preaching and the proselyting influence of his fol- 
lowers than any other christian organization. 

In some communities whole congregations renounced 
their organic connection with other bodies, dissolved, reor- 
ganized, and went over to the new sect carrying houses of wor- 
ship and other property with them. 

The alarming situation was pressed upon Mr. Burleson's 
attention by observing a little Baptist church near Starkville, 
composed of forty-two members reduced to six, under the in- 
fluence of this new gospel. Dr. K. B. C. Howell, a great light 
in his day among Baptists, and a tower of strength with pen 
and tongue was standing gallantly to his guns in the columns 
of The Tennessee Baptist, and with other loyal preachers, was 
exerting himself with some success to stay this tide which 
Baptists were then stemming. But he needed help, and all 
the help he could get. 



48 The Life and Writings of 

Mr. Burleson saw the peril of the situation, the break in 
Baptist ranks, that the issues were vital, and that every man 
must stay with his colors, and speak, giving forth no uncertain 
sound as to what Baptists might expect unless the influence of 
this powerful propagandist was neutralized. 

He entered the arena, sought controversy, preached 
many sermons in defense of his own creed, (the Bible) show- 
ing the weak places in the code of the new sect, and exhorting 
his own people in burning eloquence to stand firm. 

He had the hearty co-operation of many noble men in 
the campaign, and the supreme satisfaction of seeing many 
churches reinstated, and the disintegration of others prevented. 
He was not content, however, with the service thus rendered; 
he wanted a broader field, and larger hearing. He therefore 
prepared a series of articles for "The Tennessee Baptist," 
which attracted much attention, excited much favorable com- 
ment, and proved to be a potent factor in quieting this relig- 
ious disturbance. 

In these article's he maintained that we can not exercise 
saving faith in Jesus Christ, and at the same time believe in 
the possibility of baptismal regeneration. 

Baptism was instituted by Jesus Christ Himself, as an 
ordinance, was frequently referred to by the Savior and New 
Testament writers as such, but never mentioned by either, aa 
a saving ordinance. It was the Christian's first act of obe- 
dience, and typical of the Savior's death, burial and resurrec- 
tion. 

He maintained that regeneration, and the exercise of a 
saving faith, were indispensible pre-requisites to the adminis- 
tration of the ordinance. 

No amount of purely intellectual reformation satisfied the 
demands of Divine Justice, though oceans were exhausted in 
ablutions to wipe away, and cleanse the soul from the stain 
of sin. 

These articles were published weekly in the "Tennessee 
Baptist," and continued for months. They stamped the 
young author as a man of a high order of dialectical power. 

These contributions to the press, his sermons and personal 
work, in this great wave of religious excitement that was 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 49 

sweeping over the country, had some effect in rendering the 
Baptists steady and loyal to the Church of their fathers. 

The reformers felt the influence of his resistance to the 
inroads made on Baptist ranks, and the urgent necessity of 
quieting him in some way. They knew a resort to argument 
would be fruitless, because that had been unsuccessfully tried. 
So they decided to resort to diplomacy. 

Rev. "W. H. Muse, a roommate of Mr. Burleson in Nash- 
ville University, and a very warm personal friend, had heard 
Dr. Campbell, was swept off his feet, renounced his allegiance 
to the Baptists, and surrendered his credentials as a Baptist 
minister, and espoused the cause of the new sect. Mr. Muse 
made the application for Mr. Burleson's license to preach, 
to the Baptist Church in Nashville, accompanying the appli- 
cation with some tender remarks, which were never forgotten. 
For this, as well as other reasons, the attachment between these 
young ministers was very strong. 

The Disciples, therefore, determined the wisest course to 
pursue would be to have Mr. Muse have a personal interview 
with Mr. Burleson, and supplement his strong arguments in 
behalf of the reformers with his personal influence. 

The meeting was held in Huntsville, Alabama, where 
Mr. Muse was preaching his new doctrine to crowded houses. 
He implored his young friend to get out of the ruts, abandon 
his antiquated church. "This new doctrine/' he said, "is 
being accepted by the multitude, is rolling from State to 
State, and will ultimately become the dominant controlling 
code in the new world. If you will give it your support now, 
when it becomes an established system, your talents and edu- 
cation will naturally command any position or pastorate 
suited to your taste, or in harmony with your inclination." 

Mr. Burleson accorded his talented schoolmate a respect- 
ful hearing, and then fixing his piercing eyes on Mr. Muse's 
face, he answered : "Some of the tenderest memories of my 
life date from the 12th day of December, 1840, when, in 
earnest, loving words, you recited the story of my conversion 
and call to the ministry when the Church in Nashville licensed 
me to preach the everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ. Your 



50 The Life A.m> Writings of 

words I will never, never forget, and they form a bond of love 
and friendship between us that religions differences will never 
sever. On that day I consecrated my energies and power to 
the good old fashion religion of the Bible and my Baptist 
ancestors, which no amount of enthusiasm for new-formed 
religious systems and codes would ever shake. Besides this, 
my brother, you have lost your spiritual bearings under the 
magnetic power and splendid ability of Dr. Campbell, and the 
time will come in your life when you will deplore the course 
you have taken, and regret the earnest appeal you have made 
to-day for me to follow you after strange gods. No, sir, I 
shall stay with my people, and continue as heretofore to defend 
in my feeble way 'the faith once delivered unto the saints.' " 

With this these schoolmates parted, Mr. Burleson pur- 
suing the even tenor of his way, and Mr. Muse blazing like an 
erratic comet. 

Later Mr. Muse moved to Columbus, Mississippi, estab- 
lished a military school, and used all his brilliant powers of 
mind and influence to disrupt the flourishing Baptist Church, 
of which that great scholar and preacher, Rev. Wm. Carey 
Crane was pastor. He soon became involved in a most violent 
contention with the students in his school, which resulted in 
its destruction. He renounced his recently formed religious 
views, was appointed Secretary of State, applied for reinstate- 
ment in a Baptist Church, and died breathing a prayer for his 
old pastor, Dr. R. B. C. Howell, and his friend and brother, 
B. C. Burleson. 

During this animated discussion, which was much 
warmer between the Baptists and Disciples than any other 
denominations, some of the more intemperate reformers had 
publicly declared that the Baptists were being rendered hors 
de combat by the thousands, and that when the crusade was 
over they would be dead as a denomination. This gloomy 
prognostication of the impending doom which awaited Mr. 
Burleson, and all others who believed as he did, was perhaps 
seriously made, but failed to make a serious impression on the 
Baptists of the South. 

Mr. Burleson became facetious when the threat, or proph- 
ecy, reached his ear, and wrote a serio-comic article, in which 



Dr. Rufus C. Burlesox. 51 

lie gave the substance of a lecture delivered by a theological 
professor to his class as containing the only formula then 
known for killing Baptists, which is here given. 

A Way to Kill the Baptists. 

Amid all the inventions of this age of inventions, I learn 
a method has been invented to kill Baptists. This has been 
a desideratum for years, but a want more keenly felt recently 
than ever. 

I learn the experiment is being tried by many of our 
Pedo Baptist friends. The invention was first made public 
under the following circumstances : 

The learned and venerable Dr. A., in an address to his 
class in a certain theological seminary, said : Young brethren, 
one question which you will have to meet is the controversy 
on baptism. The Baptists are very numerous all over the 
world. They are establishing schools and colleges everywhere, 
and you will have to meet them in argument at every point. 

I forewarn you they can never be killed by persecution; 
this was fully tried all over Europe for 1,800 years, and also 
in the New England States. The fires of Smithfield and else- 
where were kindled in vain. The exile of Boger Williams 
and the whipping of Holmes were bright eras in Baptist 
history. 

Their church has always risen from the ashes of persecu- 
tion like a Phenix, more beautiful and powerful. 

It will be equally useless to meet them in public debate, 
for controversy is the element in which they flourish. Their 
pastors, with nothing but old Bunyan's Jerusalem blade, are 
more than a match for our Doctors of Divinity. 

On matters of doctrine they think they have the authority 
of God's word, and you had just as well try to chunk Pike's 
Peak to pieces with pebbles as to convince them to the con- 
trary. 

The truth is, there is but one way to kill the Baptists, and 
that way is to hug them to death. I mean kill them with kind- 
ness, call them dear brethren, invite them to your communion 
table, urge them to come unite with you as brethren, and leave 



■52 The Life and Writings of 

oil the discussion of doctrinal questions. This is the most 
effective, indeed, the only way, to kill the Baptists. 

The old Doctor was right, and many weak-kneed Baptists 
are suffering themselves to be hugged to death every day, 
while those who are loyal to their convictions are increasing 
very rapidly.'' 

Mr. Burleson continued his school in Mayhew prairie, 
and also to serve these three churches with most signal ability. 
The membership in each of them increased, contributions to 
missions and other denominational enterprises were large, and 
the relations between pastor and people of the most affection- 
ate and harmonious nature. 

The time, however, had come when these tender ties must 
be severed. He apprised the patrons of the school and 
members of these churches of his intention to resign; they 
were grieved beyond expression; proposed to increase his sal- 
ary and insisted upon his remaining. But he was now twenty- 
one, and had ample means to defray his expenses in college 
until the course was finished. He, therefore, sent in his resig- 
nation to school and churches, which were reluctantly 
accepted. A parting reception was tendered this popular 
young preacher and teacher, and with streaming eyes parish- 
ioner, parent and pupil bid him an affectionate farewell. 

Dr. Burleson's experience in the school room, pulpit and 
social circle in Mayhew prairie was always acounted by him 
in after life to be among the richest and sweetest in social 
enjoyment in all the sixty years he spent in public life. 
Attachments were formed during this time that sixty 
years of separation did not alienate, but filled a large place in 
nis heart's affection until his last hour on earth. 

That these tender ties and mellow memories were mutual 
is evidenced by the fact that in 1900, when the Baptists of 
Starkville had completed a new and beautiful church edifice? 
lie was preferred albove any other man on earth to come and 
dedicate it to the worship of the living God. He went, and 
while preaching the dedicatory sermon stood on the same spot 
where he sat when ordained to the full work of the gospel 
ministry, fifty-five years before. 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 55 



CHAPTER VI 



From Mayhew Prairie Mr. Burleson Returns to His 
Father's Farm — Reviews the Scenes of His Boyhood- 
— Preaches to His Old Church — Bids Farewell to 
Family and Friends, Rides Away to Covington and 
Enters the Western Baptist Theological Seminary 
— Graduates June 8th, 1847 — Consecrates His Life 
to Texas — Incidents While at the Seminary — Beau- 
tiful Story of Dr. William A. Ashmore, That Had 
Its Culmination in Texas — Southern People Slan- 
dered — Theological Student Resents it — Challenge 
Passed — A Duel Arranged — Young Burleson Pre- 
vents IT. 



[^ R. BURLESON had spent five years in teaching and 
preaching in Mississippi, during which time he kept 
up a course of study. His intention had been to 
return to Nashville University. He had, however, completed 
the course prescribed in this institution; granduation was 
hence only a matter of form, conferring no substantial bene- 
fits. He, therefore, decided to change his plans. 

Returning from Mayhew prairie, he spent a few months 
in recreation and rest at his father's mansion on Flint River, 
Alabama, greeting old friends, who gave him the glad hand, 
and congratulated him most warmly upon his first experience 
in the struggle of life, and the brilliant success achieved. He 
reviewed the scenes of his happy childhood, visited the old 
forest through which he had wandered when a boy; sat upon 



54 



The Life and Writings oe 



the river bank and feasted his soul upon the familiar scenes, 
while the bine waters sang a rippling sonnet as they passed, 
and went laughing and dancing onward to the sea. 

He ascended the rugged hills, scaled the mountain's 
height, and looked out upon the same sublime prospect that 
had thrilled his boyish mind in former years. 

He gathered chestnuts from the same old tree, plucked 
wild flowers from the same lovely glen, and slaked his thirst 
from the same old spring where he had drank in the rosy morn 
of early youth. 

He visited the grave of his angel mother, and upon this 
little mound of earth, in the quiet twilight, with a tiny star 




MT. PISGAH CHURCH: FIRST CHURCH DR. BURLESON WAS 
A MEMBER OF. 

occasionally peeping through the cerulean curtains overhead, 
got on his knees, and in broken accents, between sobs, thanked 
his Father in heaven for her pure life, her unstained character, 
noble example, and her tender, loving care and instruction, to 
which he attributed everything that he was, or could hope to 
be in life. 

When he left Flint Kiver five years before, he was only 
a licentiate, but now he was a full-fledged minister, so his old 
friends asked him to preach, and made an appointment at 
"Mt. Pisgah," the church into whose fellowship he had been 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 55 

baptized. He accepted the invitation with sensations of joy, 
because it was near this place he preached his first sermon in 
1840, when a seventeen-year-old boy, from the text, "Behold 
the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sins of the world." 

At the appointed time the house was packed with people, 
from pulpit to door, some of whom had traveled ten miles to 
hear him. 

Mr. Burleson continued to occupy the pulpit of this his 
mother church during the remainder of the autumn, with 
pleasure to himself and his old neighbors and boyhood friends. 

In January, 1846, he bid farewell to the friends and 
scenes of his infancy on Flint River, and instead of returning 
to the university at Nashville, as he intended, he rode away to 
Covington, Kentucky, and matriculated in the Western Bap- 
tist Theological Seminary. 

His soul was all aflame with a desire to get to work, but 
felt his equipment was incomplete without a theological 
course so when he entered he resolved to utilize every moment 
in hard study, and complete the course in one year. 

Scores of brilliant young men had tried to accomplish 
this herculean task in former years, but failed; this, however, 
did not discourage Mr. Burleson from making the attempt. 

This ill-fated school at that time was one of the most cele- 
brated institutions for ministerial training in the South. A 
diploma signified that the bearer had mastered a thorough 
course of theological instruction. 

The faculty was composed of illustrious scholars and 
divines. Chairs were filled by Dr. R. Pattison, Dr. Asa 
Drury, Dr. E. G. Robinson, and Dr. E. Dodge. Dr. Pattison, 
the President of the Seminary, was a graduate o'f Amherst 
College, and after graduation became a tutor in Columbian 
University, then Professor of Mathematics in Waterville Col- 
lege, and in 1836 was elected to the presidency. He filled a 
chair in Newton Theological Seminary for six years, and was 
also a member of the faculty of ShurtlefT College, Union 
Baptist Theological Seminary, and Oread Institute. 

Dr. Robinson, when he left the seminary at Covington, 
became President of Brown University, founded in 1764, the 
oldest Baptist and among the foremost institutions of learning 



56 The Life and Writings of 

on the continent. Dr. Burleson also filled at one time the 
chair of theology in Rochester Theological Seminary. He 
filled several fine pastorates, and resigned at Cambridge, Mass., 
to accept the professorship of Biblical interpretation in the 
Western Baptist Theological Institute at Covington. As a 
scholar, theologian preacher or teacher, he was regarded as 
one of the prof oundest men in his day. 

Dr. Dodge was a full graduate of Brown University, and 
took a course at Newton Theological Seminary. He was 
called to the presidency of Madison University in 1868, and 
served until 1871, when he was elected President of Hamilton 
Theological Seminary. In both these positions he won fresh 
laurels for accomplished scholarship and profound learning. 

Doctor Drury was a man of much learning, and a worthy 
co-laborer of Drs. Pattison, Robinson and Dodge. There 
were literary and theological institutions in the country more 
liberally endowed, and more famous perhaps, but very few 
with a faculty of a higher order of ability and scholastic learn- 
ing, or with a higher curriculum. 

Mr. Burleson was regarded as a precocious boy, but this 
precocity did not fade with his youth, as is often the case, but 
grew with his manhood, and developed with his growth. 
When a mere youth he had acquired studious habits, whch five 
years' experience as a teacher had developed into an insatiate 
passion. 

He was already an accomplished Latin scholar, and had 
also a good knowledge of Greek and Hebrew, and for this 
reason was not only prepared for hard work, but, being thus 
well grounded,, had a clear conception of the task he had 
resolved to master during the session. 

His eagerness to finish the course did not in any way 
unsettle his determination to be thorough. In this connection 
it may be remarked that in everything, the most insignificant 
detail, as well as the weightiest and most momentous affairs of 
life, he was thorough. The importance of this, he was fond 
of emphasizing. He was also self-reliant, and made it a rule 
in life never to call on others for anything he could do himself. 
Hundreds of times has this author heard him say in his chapel 
talks, when advising young men, whose training had been com- 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 57 

mitted to him, "Write your own orations, solve your own 
problems, read your own Latin." 

In taking up the course in the seminary he brought all 
these qualities into requisition. He determined to be thor- 
ough, self-dependent, so as to be able to say at the close of the 
session, "I have mastered the situation." 

With untiring energy and ceaseless application he fin- 
ished the course June the 8th, 1847, with distinction. 

On this day, and at this place, a solemn resolution was 
made of tremendous moment and far-reaching importance to 
Texas. 

After receiving his diploma, Mr. Burleson stepped from 
the building, and standing in the shadow of the walls of his 
Alma Mater, surrounded by preceptors and pupils, he straight- 
ened his tall form to its full stature, with closed eyes, as if to 
shut out the world, while a solemn resolution was being 
formed, he raised his boyish face toward heaven, stretched 
both his arms toward the West, and in a clear voice and elo- 
quent tones he exclaimed: 

"This Day I Consecrate My Life to Texas." 

This resolution was fraught with as much consequence to 
the religious, and educational, affairs of the State as the shout, 
"Remember the Alamo," on the battlefield of San Jacinto. 
The latter gave to Texas her civil, religious and political free- 
dom; the former, her splendid universities and other institu- 
tions of learning. 

There are some incidents connected with Mr. Burleson's 
life, while in the seminary, aside from his studies, worth 
reciting. Many of the theological students had been criti- 
cised, it seems, for depending upon public contributions for 
their expenses. Dr. William A. Ashmore, a classmate of Mr. 
Burleson and a consecrated missionary to China, among the 
number. One of these critics was so rude as to say to young 
Ashmore that he had better return to his home and go to 
work for a living. 

This pierced the heart of this noble young man, and pro- 
duced feelings of great discouragement and despondency. He 
took it as a rebuke from God, for presuming to enter upon the 



58 The Life and Writings oe 

holy work of the ministry. He went to the college hall, and 
spent the entire night in sadness, and concluded next morning 
to give up all hope of becoming a minister and missionary, 
and leave Covington for his home. 

Mr. Burleson noticed that his usually bright and happy 
face was sad as he came into the dining hall for breakfast, and 
asked him the cause of his trouble. Mr. Ashmore referred to 
the criticism of the ministerial students, and stated he was 
without money to pay his expenses, and felt if God had called 
him to preach, He would provide a way for him to prepare 
himself, and that he was going home with the sorrowful con- 
viction that he had never been called to the work of the 
ministry. 

These young friends walked together, from the breakfast 
table to Mr. Ashmore's room. Mr. Burleson took him by the 
hand, and said: "My brother, God is only testing your 
patience and faith, as he did Abraham's. I am able to help 
you. Dorsey A. Outlaw, a friend of mine in Starkville, Mis- 
sissippi, told me when I left that place, nearly two years ago, 
if I ever found a worthy young preacher in need, to let him 
know, and assistance should be forthcoming. Thirty-five dol- 
lars will defray your expenses until the close of the term; here 
is $10.00, and I will write Bro. Outlaw immediately for the 
balance." The letter was written, the money came, and thus 
was this great missionary to the Empire of China enabled to 
finish his preparation to proclaim the unsearchable riches of 
the gospel to these heathen people for nearly fifty years. 

It is a little out of order, but this interesting story has 
a beautiful sequel, which we will here relate. Years after- 
ward Mr. Ashmore refunded this money, and Mr. Burleson, 
while pastor in Houston, chanced to meet Bev. D. B. Morrill, 
who was attending school at Independence, and, on account of 
financial depression and embarrassment, was discouraged, 
despairing and doubtful, just as Mr. Ashmore had been. He 
related his distress to Mr. Burleson, who answered him, say- 
ing: "The Lord has placed $35.00 in my possession, to be 
applied to just such cases. Here it is, return and finish your 
course." The money was accepted with praises, Mr. Morrill 
returned to Independence, completed his studies, and lived to 



Dr. Rttfus C. Burleson. 59 

preach the gospel in every portion of Texas, from Red River 
to the Rio Grande, and thns did Dorsey A. Outlaw's contribu- 
tion of $35.00 in Starkville, Mississippi, enable two zealous 
missionaries to tell the story of everlasting life on both sides 
•of the world. 

Another incident of Mr. Burleson's last year at the semi- 
nary is worthy of being preserved. He came of fighting 
stock, and cowards were unknown in the whole line of 
Burleson descent. Rufus C. Burleson himself was a stranger 
to the sensation of fear, but was, at the same time, opposed to 
personal encounters, and during the long years that he had 
control of young men prevented numbers of conflicts. 

On one occasion, in a hotel in Covington, Mr. A. B. 
Brown, a student in the seminary, was seated at the table in 
the dining room with a number of guests. The conversation 
at first was general and pleasant. At length, however, a 
drummer present commenced a violent tirade against the 
Southern people. For a time no attention was paid to his 
violent denunciations. This rather emboldened him, and his 
references to the people of the South grew worse. Mr. Brown 
remonstrated with him, saying his remarks about Southern 
people were unpleasant; and, more, that he had evidently 
arrived at his conclusions from ex-parte testimony, and his 
-charges and statements were wholly untrue. This only 
increased the drummer's ire and enmity, and he offered Mr. 
Brown a gross insult. The latter seized a pitcher of water, 
and was in the act of resenting it, but was prevented. 

This so aroused the drummer's indignation that he sprang 
to his feet, and shouted in a voice full of anger : 

"You have publicly insulted me, and I demand satisfac- 
tion. Choose your weapons, and we will settle our 
differences." 

The young preacher bowed his acceptance, and retired to 
his room. Pistols were selected as the weapons to be used, 
and the time fixed for that evening., in a secluded spot near 
town. 

The news spread over Covington like a flash that a young 
theological student and a stranger were to fight a duel that 
evening. Mr. Burleson heard of it, and went at once to 



60 The Life and Writings of 

learn the student's name. When told it was his friend Brown., 
he repaired to his room. He found him in deep meditation,, 
walking the floor with folded arms. 

"Why, Brother Brown, are you going to fight a duel ?" 

"Yes. I have been publicly insulted and challenged* 
and my enemy's blood must be the penalty." 

"I am shocked. You must bear in mind that you are a 
minister, and cannot use carnal weapons," responded Dr. 
Burleson. 

"Yes, I know this, and deplore the necessity, but 1 would 
rather die than show the white feather." 

"Trust to me, and perhaps I can effect a settlement of the* 
unfortunate affair, without doing either." 

Mr. Brown said: "I appreciate your offer, and thank 
you for your friendship, but I shall be on the ground, with this 
pistol in hand, at the appointed time to the minute." 

Mr. Burleson continued to reason and plead with his 
friend to abandon all thought of thus dishonoring his holy 
calling, until he said : 

"I will not act the coward, but I tell you what I will 
promise you. I will meet the fellow on time, take my posi- 
tion on the field, and when the command is given to fire, I will 
not attempt to shoot my antagonist, but discharge my pistol 
in the air." 

This point gained, he left the room, and sought the drum- 
mer in the hotel. 

He introduced himself, and before he could make known 
his purpose, the drummer said : 

"Well, I suppose you are Mr. Brown's second in the 
affair this evening, and have called to consult with me in refer- 
ence to the detail." 

"No, I am a friend of the unfortunate man, and a fellow- 
minister in the seminary, and have called on a mission of 
peace. I have just left his room, where I have been pieading 
with him not to dishonor his life calling by resorting to arms 
to settle a difficulty. I succeeded so far as to get him to- 
promise that when the word fire was given this evening, he? 
would not aim at you, but discharge his pistol in the air." 

"My Lord, is that young fellow a preacher? Why, my 
mother is a shouting Methodist, and if I were to shoot ai 



De. Rufus C. Buelesox. 



61 



preacher she would never tolerate me in her presence again 
while the world stands." 

"Yes, he is a preacher and Christian, but in this instance 
lie lost his temper, which he very much regrets." 

"Go and tell him, so far as I am concerned, he may con- 
sider the affair settled, and settled forever." 

Mr. Burleson returned to his friend's room, reported the 
-conversation he had with the drummer, and had the supreme 
-satisfaction of seeing them meet and shake hands, in token of 
their complete reconciliation. 




IIP* 
W 



62 The Life aid Writings of 



CHAPTER VII 



Mr. Burleson Applies for Appointment as Missionary to 
Texas to the Missionary Board of the Southern Bap- 
tist Convention — Early Texas Missions — Mrs. 
Cole's Statement — Baptist Preachers in Texas as 
Early as 1812 — James R. Jenkins, A. Buffington, H. 
R. Cartmell — Birth of Organized Missions — Mr. 
Burleson's Services Accepted — Assigned to Duty at 
Gonzales — Studies Texas History — -Character of 
the Early Missionaries. 



fyl R. BURLESON applied immediately to the Mission 
Board of the Southern Baptist Convention for an 
appointment as missionary to Texas. The board had 
the wisdom to see the immense possibilities of this new and 
rapidly growing country, its destitution, and importance as 
missionary territory. They had already sent some missiona- 
ries to the country, and the policy of the board was to re-en- 
force these as rapidly as the means could be commanded to 
insure their maintenance. 

There is no chapter in Texas history fraught with more 
importance, and possessing more absorbing interest, than the 
history of Baptist missions. Here, as in India and many other 
countries, they were among the first on the ground, proclaim- 
ing the unsearchable riches of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and 
pressing it as containing the rudiments and elementary princi- 
ples of not only religious, but civil and political liberty as 
well. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 63 

As early as 1812 Baptist preachers visited Texas, 
preached, conducted prayer meetings and other religions serv- 
ices in the country. Of these, the earliest pathfinders, it is 
to be deplored that the record is obscure and so vague that this 
statement is in its widest sense a deduction. It is also deeply 
regretted, for the credit of Baptists and the truth of history, 
that names, exact dates, and precise localities cannot be given. 

Mrs. John P. Cole, who was a Baptist, and one of Aus- 
tin's original 300 colonists, and third person to cross to the 
west side of the Brazos in 1822, says she attended some kind 
of a religious service in that year, conducted by a Baptist 
minister. This minister, whose rfame, unfortunately, she did 
not remember, informed her that he had been in East Texas 
for some time. The term "some time," we admit, is indefin- 
ite, but it is conservative to say the first religious service held 
by a Baptist preacher was, as is stated, in 1812, for the reason 
that all historians agree that many emigrants came to Texas 
in that year. Mrs. Cole's statement is worthy of credence, 
first, because she was an intellectual woman ; second, being the 
wife of Judge John P. Cole, the first Alcalde of the munici- 
pality of "Washington, the first Rigadore of the district, and 
the first Chief Justice of Washington County, she had excep- 
tionally good opportunities for acquiring information as to 
current events in those early days. 

Eev. Freeman Smalley came to the State in 1824, and 
preached at Pecan Point, on Red River. 

Rev. Joseph Bays came in 1825, and preached in the 
house of Moses Shipman, near San Pelipe. Mr. Shipman 
was a cousin of Rev. Rufus C. Burleson, which fact may be 
significant, as later statements in this volume will show. 

Rev. Thomas Houks came to Texas from Tennessee in 
1829, and conducted a religious meeting, also in Mr. Ship- 
man's house. 

Rev. Isaac Reed settled near Nacogdoches in 1834, and 
preached from house to house, as permission was granted for 
him to do so. 

Rev. R. Marsh, though advanced in life, settled on the 
San Jacinto River in 1835, and did some missionary work. 

Rev. Isaac Crouch, with many families, settled on the 



64 The Life and Wkitings of 

Colorado River, near Bastrop, in 1834, did some work, moved 
in 1836 to the Little Brazos River, in Milan County, where 
he was killed by the murderous Indians. 

Rev. Z. !N". Morrell, the most zealous and active mission- 
ary who, at that time had labored in the JState, came to Texas 
in 1835. He was a man of a high order of native ability, bold 
in proclaiming the truth, aggressive in his operations, and 
became a noted character in religious, as well as the affairs of 
State. 

Judge R. E. B. Baylor came to the State in 1838 from 
Alabama. He had served two terms in Congress previous to 
coming to Texas. He was an eminent lawyer, and was called 
to public life soon after his arrival, and filled the office of 
District Judge for seventeen consecutive years. He presided 
over the court during the week, preached Saturday nights and 
Sunday, and exercised unbounded influence over the religious 
sentiment of the people. 

Rev. T. W. Cox settled in Washington in 1838, assisted 
in the organization of several churches, and rendered other 
service of importance and value. 

Rev. Asa Wright joined Rev. Z. K Morrell in 1839, and 
with this veteran gospel minister preached on the Colorado 
and Brazos Rivers. 

In September, 1837, Rev. Richard Ellis located in old 
Washington, and for many years supplied the destitution east 
and west of the Brazos, in that vicinity. 

Rev. N". T. Byars settled in Washington and opened a 
blacksmith shop in 1835. In this shop, there is evidence to 
believe, the declaration of Texas' Independence was written 
and signed, March 2d, 1836. His service was long and valu- 
able in the cause of education and religion in the early days. 

All these preachers, of whom the above is only intended 
as the merest notice, and many other noble spirits not men- 
tioned, were powerful factors in laying the foundation upon 
which the mighty structure of Baptist affairs now rests in 
Texas; they were, however, independent missionaries, operat- 
ing upon their own responsibility, and depending on their own 
resources. 

At this time no organized mission movement had been 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 65 

directed toward the State by any of the powerful societies east 
of the Mississippi River or in the Northern States. The popu- 
lation of Texas was increasing so rapidly, the demand for 
preachers becoming so urgent, that wise members of the scat- 
tered, struggling churches saw the necessity of proceeding 
upon systematic plans in the work of evangelizing the country, 
and planting the Baptist. standard so firmly that it would stand 
through all the uncounted ages. 

Hon. James R. Jenkins, Rev. A. Buffington, and Deacon 
EL R. Cartmell constituted the wise trio to inaugurate this 
movement. Judge Jenkins was a member of the Congress 
of the Republic, a distinguished lawyer and a famous and 
popular statesman and politician. Judge Warwick H. 
Jenkins, of McLellan County, a finer spirit than whom does 
not live in Texas or elsewhere, is the only surviving son, and 
the worthy antitype of this famous and useful character in 
early Texas history. 

Rev. Buffington and Deacon Cartmell were distinguished 
among their fellows for good sense and fine judgment. These 
three gentlemen not only enjoyed the confidence and esteem 
of the people among whom they then lived, but occupied posi- 
tions of prominence in the States from which they hailed. 

It was most fortunate, therefore, that they took the 
initiative in the matter of inducing missionary socities to do 
something for Texas, as it gave the movement prestige at 
home and abroad. 

After stating their plans to the Baptist Church at Wash- 
ington, of which they were members, that organization, con- 
fiding in their wisdom and integrity of purpose, appointed 
them on a committee with authority to act in the premises, 
in obedience to the dictates of their best judgment. The 
committee held frequent meetings, discussed the situation in 
all its aspects and bearings, with a view of formulating a plan 
upon which to proceed. 

It was finally determined, as a preliminary measure, to 
issue a stirring appeal to the Home Mission Board, setting 
forth the destitution in Texas, and the present as well as com- 
ing importance of the country. 

Judge Jenkins was an alumnus of Mercer University, in 



66 The Life and Wimtings of 

Georgia, personally acquainted, and a warm friend of Dr. 
Jesse Mercer, its patron and benefactor, and sent him a copy 
of the address issued by the committee. 

Dr. Mercer was so touched by the statements made and 
so impressed with the importance of Texas as a mission field 
that he sent the Home Mission Board a draft for $2,500. In 
his letter enclosing the draft, Dr. Mercer took occasion to say : 

"The splendid climate and rich soil of Texas are destined 
to attract a vast population which must be evangelized, for 
which purpose I send you $2,500, and will double it when 
necessary/ 7 

The board acted at once on Dr. Mercer's suggestion, 
and sent Rev. James Huckins to the State, and a little later 
on Rev. William M. Tryon. This was the origin and begin- 
ning of organized missions in Texas, and while the great and 
good Dr. Mercer furnished money for the support of the first 
missionaries, Judge James R. Jenkins, a layman, may be 
very justly styled the father of Baptist missions in the State, 
since it was directly through his intervention that another was 
moved to furnish the necessary means to insure the success of 
the movement. 

In 1846 Rev. P. B. Chandler came to the State as an 
appointee of the Mission Board, and Rev. J. W. D. Creath, 
under an appointment from the Board of Domestic Missions 
of the Southern Baptist Convention. 

The convention was now thoroughly aroused on the 
subject of occupying Texas, the organization of churches, and 
establishing all denominational enterprises, and at every ses- 
sion of the convention proper, or meeting of the Mission 
Board during the interim of sessions, volunteers were called 
for, and inducements offered for men to go as missionaries to 
this young and promising country. 

Mr. Burleson's services were, therefore, readily accepted, 
and he was assigned to the little frontier church at Gonzales. 
He was notified officially of his appointment, and the place 
where he had been assigned to duty. He went to his father's 
house for the purpose of spending a few months in studying 
Texas history, and acquainting himself, as far as possible, 
with the character, habits and customs of the people. It was 



Dr. Rttfus C. Burleson. 67 

his purpose, also, to review the lives of the world's most emi- 
nent and successful pioneers and foundation builders, so that 
mistakes might be minimized in his field operations. 

It is questionable whether there was ever in any new 
country a more brilliant galaxy of preachers than were now 
on duty in -Texas, as regular appointees of some missionary 
society, or operating independently. Wm. M. Tryon, James 
Huckins, Henry L. Graves, K. E. B. Baylor, Bufus C. 
Burleson, J. W. D. Creath, Noah Hill and scores of others, 
who could have filled acceptably any pulpit on the continent, 



A PAGE FROM DR. BURLESON'S BIBLE. 

or graced any social assembly in America, were either here, or 
en route, to devote their splendid abilities to the cause of re- 
ligious truth, and convert the trackless wilderness into a 
radiant park of blooming beauty. 

It can be also said, with the utmost regard for truth, and 
is here, we trust, placed on a deathless record to their everlast- 
ing credit, that they did not decide to consecrate their lives to 
this new country, and suffer innumerable privations of every 
kind, because there were not other fields open to them, but 
they came as a matter of choice; because they loved Texas 



68 The Life and Writings of 

with a supreme devotion, and their souls burned with 
unquenchable fire to serve their Master in this particular 
place. 

Once here, there was never a time when they all, without 
exception, could not have returned, without dishonor to them- 
selves, to the most popular pastorates in the States from which 
they came; but they elected to live, and labor, and die in Texas 
that she might become transcendently great, through their 
heroic immolation and struggles. 

While Mr. Burleson was at his father's, preparing, as 
stated, to come to Texas, events were transpiring of a far- 
reaching character, which caused the board to reconsider its 
determination of sending him to Gonzales. Unaware of the 
action of the board, the Colorado Eiver Association had sup- 
plied that vacant pastorate. But this was not the most 
important event necessitating a change in their plans. 

Rev. William M. Tryon, one of the first missionaries sent 
to Texas, one of the most eminent men, the foremost preacher 
in the State, pastor of the Baptist Church in Houston, had 
fallen a victim of yellow fever. 

Owing to the prominence of this man, the prominence of 
this pastorate, and the fact that it was one of the important 
events in Mr. Burleson's life, we deem it worthy of more than 
a passing notice, and will refer to it more fully in the following 
chapter. 




Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 69 



CHAPTER IX 



Rev. Wm. M. Tryon Called to the Houston Pastorate 
Dec. 1st, 1845 — Dies at Sundown 'Nov. 16th, 1847 — - 
Resolutions of the Houston Church — Mr. Burleson 
Appointed to Succeed Him — Starts for Texas — 
Reflections en Route — Reaches New Orleans — 
Takes a Steamer and Arrives in Galveston Jan. 5th, 
1848 — Meets Dr. J: F. Hillyer — Preaches His First 
Sermon in Texas From the Text, "For I Determined 
Not to Know Anything Among- You Save Jesus Christ 
and Him Crucified." 

T a business meeting of the members of trie Baptist 
Church in Houston, held at the residence of Colonel 
T. B. J. Hadley, on the 1st day of December, 1845, 
Rev. William M. Tryon was called to the pastorate. He had 
accepted an appointment as missionary to Texas from the 
American Baptist Home Mission Society in January, 1841, 
moved to the State, and located at Washington. The follow- 
ing year he erected a commodious residence on Hidalgo Bluff, 
four miles west of that town, which is still standing. 

In addition to his most successful work as missionary, 
he filled some of the most important pastorates in the State, 
among which may be mentioned Washington, Independence 
and Providence Church, near Chappell Hill. He was con- 
ceded to be a profound scholar, a man of great ability, and the 
most distinguished preacher at that time in the Republic. 



70 The Life and Writings of 

After conferring with the Home Mission Society, with 
reference to his call to Houston, he decided to accept it, and 
accordingly moved to that city, and presided over the first 
church conference held under his pastoral care July 21st, 
1846. 

His fame had preceded him to Houston, and members of 
this congregation were full of hope that victory would quickly 
follow victory under his wise leadership. In this, however, 
they were doomed to sore disappointment, for at sundown, 
November 16th, 1847, as before stated, he fell at his post a 
victim of yellow fever, just eighteen months after being 
installed as pastor. 

Mr. Tryon was unsurpassed in the city as a pulpit orator. 
His sermons were incisive, and at the same time profound in 
character. He possessed much personal magnetism, and it is 
a question whether any pastor ever, in so short a time, 
enthroned himself more securely in the hearts of the people. 

November 17th a church conference was held at the resi- 
dence of Mr. Cavanough, at which the death of Pastor Tryon 
was formally announced, and the Ghurch spread on the record 
the following eloquent tribute to his memory : 

"Whereas, About sundown on Tuesday evening, Novem- 
ber 16th, 1847, it pleased Almighty God to take to Himself 
our beloved pastor, William M. Tryon; therefore, be it 

"Resolved, That we, the members of the Church placed 
immediately under his guardianship and pastoral care, do bear 
willing testimony to the efficiency and faithfulness of his 
labors as pastor and preacher of the everlasting gospel, the 
uprightness and purity of his character as a Christian, and his 
humility and devotedness to the cause of Christ. 

Resolved, Individually and collectively, we feel deeply 
the loss we have sustained, and Avhilst we would kiss the rod 
that chastises, and receive the chastisement as coming from 
the hand of the kindest parent, we cannot but deeply deplore 
the bereavement that has caused a vacuum in our hearts and 
in our midst we know not how to fill." 

Not only the members of this congregation, but the entire 
city of Houston sorrowed over the death of this great and good 
man. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 71 

The congregation and friends felt the importance of fill- 
ing the pastorate of the church in this growing city, and knew, 
at the same time, the high esteem in which the deceased pas- 
tor was held by all classes of people would render the selection 
of his successor a most delicate and difficult undertaking. 

They resolved to keep up all the services of the church, 
and at the same conference that passed the resolutions deplor- 
ing Dr. Tryon's death, appointed a committee to take imme- 
diate steps to secure his successor. 

This committee appealed to the Board of Southwestern 
Missions for suggestions as to a suitable minister for the 
pastorate. 

The board answered the committee that the wishes of 
the church had been anticipated, and Rev. Rufus C. Burleson 
had been approved for the position. 

The action of the board was communicated to the church 
at a regular conference, called to hear the report of the com- 
mittee, and resolutions passed that T. B. J. Hadley be 
instructed to notify both the board and Mr. Burleson that its 
action was approved and its choice accepted. 

Col. Hadley notified Mr. Burleson, who was at that time 
on his father's plantation near Decatur, Alabama, and, while 
his resolution to consecrate his life to Texas had never wavered 
for one moment, he was overwhelmed with the thought of 
attempting even to fill the place of so great a man as he knew 
Dr. Tryon to be. 

While these grave doubts and misgivings as to his ability 
to fill the Houston pastorate, with acceptance to the people, 
and any degree of satisfaction to himself, he has often been 
heard to say in later years : "A small voice whispered in my 
ear, 'My grace is sufficient. 7 " 

His preparation for the long journey was hastily com- 
pleted, and this young Alabamian, at the age of twenty-four, 
started for the wilderness of Texas, which he had selected as 
a field of operations. While en route to New Orleans, his 
great purpose in life was constantly on his mind. He 
reviewed the hardships and struggles of the colonists from 
1822 to 1836. Vivid pictures of the glorious achievements 
of Sam Houston and his noble band of patriots at San Jacinto 
floated before his vision as westward he directed his footsteps. 



72 The Life and Writings of 

With truly prophetic eye, he saw the desolate waste 
occupied by a thrifty, teeming population, opulent cities 
springing up in every part of the territory, with bustling 
streets, humming factories, and church spires pointing toward 
the heaven above. Vast fields of waving grain were spread 
out in his busy mind, and lowing herds were peacefully graz- 
ing on the expansive prairies. 

This magnificent panorama of the growth and develop- 
ment of Texas passed through his mind with a distinctness 
that was positively startling. 

He arrived in New Orleans about the 2nd of January, 
expecting to be detained some time, owing to the meager and 
uncertain transportation facilities between that city and Texas 
at that time. But, 'fortunately, a steamer was just ready to 
leave. He secured his passage and went aboard, and was soon 
moving down the Mississippi to its mouth. 

When his vessel emerged from the river, crossed the bay 
and entered the Gulf, he spent much time on the deck watch- 
ing the rolling, restless waters. Every billow was distinct 
and all formed the mighty sea. The Latin proverb, "Quam 
fluctus diversi, quam marie conjuneti," as distinct as the bil- 
lows, as one as the sea, came to his mind, and he exclaimed, 
What an appropriate and magnificent motto that would be for 
the Baptists of the world. Each church, sovereign in itself, 
and all the churches in harmonious co-operation, constituting 
a mighty spiritual force and power in the world. 

The voyage across the Gulf of Mexico was made without 
accident or adventure, and Mr. Burleson landed in Galveston 
January the 5th, 1848, about ten days after leaving his 
father's home on Flint River. 

He felt a sense of loneliness as he pressed beneath his feet 
the soil of the State that was to be his new home, and was 
more profoundly impressed with the scope and tremendous 
importance of his mission than ever before.. He was bound 
by a solemn resolution, deliberately made, to consecrate his 
life to Texas, and with him a resolution was much more than 
a string of idle words. It contained a principle and a pur- 
pose, as well as a sentiment. 

His resolution to live, and labor, and die in Texas, how- 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 73 

ever, was now a more palpable reality than it was in Coving- 
ton, or had ever been. 

He had no regrets for having made it, had burned the 
bridges behind him, and was as steady as Gibraltar in his 
determination. 

As he walked alone on the beautiful beach of the Island 
City, the morning after his arrival, his soul swelled with the 
same spirit that filled the heart of John Knox when he cried, 
"Oh ! God, give me Scotland for Jesus or I die." So this 
young stripling preacher fell upon his knees in the sand, and 
cried, "Oh ! God, give me Texas for Jesus, or I die." The 
foaming breakers almost hushed as a mark of respect to the 
burning earnestness of this talented young man, his fidelity to 
his convictions, sublime devotion to duty, and his unconquered 
and unconquerable love for Texas. 

The boat on which Mr. Burleson expected to take pas- 
sage for Houston was not scheduled to leave the wharf until 
4 o'clock, so ,he spent the time in calling on Alabama and 
Mississippi friends who had preceded him to the State. Among 
the number was Dr. J. F. Hillyer, pastor of the Baptist 
Church, formerly professor of natural science in Mercer Uni- 
versity, Georgia. Very soon after Mr. Burleson's presence 
in Galveston was known, he was requested by the pastor and 
many citizens to remain and preach that night. Many of the 
old soldiers who had fought for Texas' freedom, under Gen. 
Ed. Burleson, in the revolution of 1836, lived in the city at 
that time, and they were especially anxious to hear his young 
cousin preach. 

Mr. Burleson consented, and a large congregation greeted 
him. He selected for the text of the first sermon he ever 
delivered in Texas, "For I determined not to know anything 
among you, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified." 

The greater part of the next day was spent in visiting 
and driving over the city, his impressions of which may be 
seen from language used by him afterward, "A more beauti- 
ful city I never saw. The whole island was covered with 
oleanders, the residences decorated with roses and lilies bloom- 
ing beautifuly in mid-winter, and I felt in my soul, 'Paradise,' 
the old Aztec name of Texas, was most befitting and 
appropriate." 



74 



The Life and Writings of 



Mr. Burleson, with so many acquaintances in Galveston, 
and. the reception accorded him was so cordial, whole-souled 
and unstinted, the feeling of loneliness disappeared, and he 
felt himself to be in the house of his friends. He was 
impressed with the beauty of Texas, so far as he had been 
able to observe it, Impressed also with its immense possibili- 
ties, and the boundless and limitless opportunities for work. 
These impressions were so strong that his enthusiasm was 
rekindled, and the resolution made in Covington, to consecrate 
his life in promoting its growth, was, if possible, a more settled 
purpose. 




Db. Rufus C. Burleson. 75 



CHAPTER X. 



Me. Burleson's Aeeival in Houston — Meets a Cordial 
Reception — Coneeonted with Difficulties — Members 
Discouraged — Disbanded Soldiers from Mexico — 
Gold Discovered in California — Excitement in 
Texas — People Restless — -Revival in Galveston — ■ 
Results — Rev. Noah Hill. 



^[ R. BURLESON" arrived in Houston from Galveston 
January 7th, 1848, and reported to the Deacons of 
the Baptist church for duty, immediately. His 
welcome was such that only honest, earnest, christian souls 
can feel when their hopes have been shattered, and their forces 
despairing and disorganized. 

After counseling with those familiar with the condition 
of affairs, he commenced the work of reorganizing, with the 
hearty co-operation of every member of the church. 

On account of the culmination and settlement of the 
civil and military events between the United States and 
Mexico, the restless condition of the people, owing to the 
discovery of gold on the Pacific coast, the time of Mr. Burle- 
son's arrival in Texas was a little unfortunate, and the situa- 
tion more difficult to handle than would have been the case 
under different circumstances. This will be easily under- 
stood, and readily appreciated by reading the following extract 
from Emerson's History of the Nineteenth century : 

"The President of the Mexican Congress assumed provis- 
ional authority, and on February 2nd, 1848, that body at 
Guadaloupe Hidalgo concluded peace with the United States. 
With slight amendments the treaty was ratified by the United 



76 The Life and Writings of 

States senate, March the 10th, and by the Mexican Congress 
at Queratero May the 10th. President Polk on July 4th 
following, finally proclaimed peace. The Americans under 
the terms of the treaty evacuated Mexico within three months. 
While these negotiations were under way, Colonel Sutter had 
begun the erection of a mill at Colonna on the American 
branch of the Sacramento river. In January one Marshall 
who was engaged in digging a race for the mill found a metal 
which he had not seen before and on testing it in the fire found 
it was gold. The "finds" were sent to Sacramento and tested 
with the result that they were declared to be pure gold. The 
mint of Philadelphia also declared the metal to be gold, and 
the President called attention to the fact in his annual message 
to Congress. The gold seekers poured into California. They 
arrived in multitudes from all parts of America and other 
countries — thousands tracking across the plains and mountains 
with ox teams and on foot, and other thousands crossing the 
Isthmus with scarcely less difficulty, while around the Horn a. 
steady procession of ships passed up the coast of South 
America and Mexico to the new Eldorado. In two years the 
population of California increased 100,000, and still the hordes 
of gold seekers came." 

With Texas swarming with disbanded soldiers fresh from 
fields of victory, who are always more or less abandoned, and 
the population of the state with its mind turned toward the 
gold fields, and many leaving from under the very shadow of 
Baylor University and the church in Houston, and with the 
feverish conditions everwhere prevailing, we repeat, compli- 
cated Dr. Burleson's situation, but did not swerve him one 
iota from his purpose. 

On the 4th day of March, 1848, a conference of the 
church was held. The clerk, Colonel T. B. J. Hadley, presented 
Mr. Burleson's letter from the Baptist church at Newport, 
Kentucky, and on motion he was received into full fellowship 
and according to a resolution previously passed, invited to take 
his place as pastor of the church and moderator of the Con- 
ference. 

The new pastor gave an outline of his plan of work and 
invited the earnest aid and support of every member as an 
essential to success. He stated that manv churches had been 



Dk. Kufus C. Burleson. 77 

seriously crippled in their work, and others disrupted by 
incumbrances of debt, and asked that a special committee be 
appointed to investigate the financial condition of the church 
and report at the next conference. The committee was 
appointed, and reported on the 6th of May that the total in- 
debtedness was $950.00. Plans were at once formulated for 
its liquidation. The members of the church rallied manfully 
around their new pastor, the congregations increased from the 
first sermon, until the seating accommodation of the house 
was taxed to its utmost capacity. New members were 
received at almost every service. Pastor Burleson had been 
in the State only from January to May, but in these five 
months had made a reputation which was by no means con- 
fined to the city of his residence. He received many invitations 
to conduct protracted meetings and to preach on special occa- 
sions. He was too much absorbed in his pastoral work to 
accept these invitations. 

Dr. Hillyer came up from Galveston, and stated to the 
Houston pastor that he was making very little progress in his 
church work, and that he must go down and hold a meeting. 
Mr. Burleson said to him that he was entirely too busy to 
leave his work for even a day, and, besides, had no experience 
as a revivalist. 

Dr. Hillyer was very importunate, would take no refusal, 
and Mr. Burleson finally referred him to his deacons. 

The deacons expressed a willingness to excuse their pas- 
tor for a few days, and Mr. Burleson consented. The inter- 
esting story of this, his first revival in Texas, we give in his 
own language : 

"The third Sunday in June, 1848, I went to Galveston 
to commence a protracted meeting with the Baptist Church 
of which Dr. Hillyer was pastor, and rejoiced to find our noble 
Bro. Noah Hill, of Matagorda, already there to assist me. No 
interest whatever had been worked up by the members, and 
the congregations were fearfully reduced. Bro. Hillyer had 
given up all thought of having a revival held ; said the bottom 
had dropped out of his church, and he had determined to 
return to Mississippi and accept a professorship in the State 
University, and as the trustees met in Jackson the following 



78 The Life and Writings of 

Tuesday, he had to leave Saturday morning. But, he said, I 
have prepared a room for yourself and Bro. Hill, and you can 
preach Saturday night and Sunday, and as much longer as 
you choose. 

"I determined to return to Houston, deeming it folly to 
try to hold a meeting in a church, where not only the bottom 
had fallen out, but the head dropped off also. Bro. Hill, see- 
ing my intention, said: 'Before you go back to Houston I 
want you to go by an humble cottage where there are two 
devout, but poor women, who have been holding a daily 
prayer meeting every evening since the protracted meeting 
was announced. One of them has a drunken husband; the 
other a promising son, who is becoming a drunkard, and their 
only hope is that they may be converted during the meeting/ 

""When we reached the humble cottage the door was 
partly open, and these children of God were praying. We 
bowed our heads, and silently joined in their prayer. Oh 1 
such an agonizing prayer I had never before heard ! At the 
close of the prayer, Bro. Hill rapped, and both women came 
to the door, with eyes full of tears. He said : 'Sisters, I have 
brought Bro. Burleson to see you, but your pastor has given 
him such a mournful account of Galveston Church, he is going 
home without making an effort to hold a revival.' 

"They immediately seized my hand and said : 

'"Oh! brother, do not leave us; oh! my husband; oh! 
my son will fill a drunkard's grave and a drunkard's hell, 
unless converted during this meeting, and we have been pray- 
ing for you every day for a month, and God will hear our 
prayers and bless us with a glorious revival. Oh ! do stay!' 

"While they held my hands, tears streaming from their 
eyes, we knelt in prayer for divine direction; the glorious 
promise came rushing .into my soul, 'Where two or three are 
gathered together in my name, there am I in their midst.' I 
then said, Sisters, I will stay, and I feel that God will bless 
our meeting. We at once announced a prayer service for that 
night, and preaching for Saturday night and Sunday. 

"Saturday night we had a fair audience, and Sunday 
morning and evening the building was crowded with people, 
remarkable for intelligence and refinement. Among them 
ex-Governor H. G. Runnels of Mississippi, his wife and two 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 79 

nieces; Mayor J. S. Sydnor, wife, and two lovely daughters; 
also his father-in-law, Mr. White, and family; Col. Grail 
Borden, wife, son and daughter; Mrs. Howard and daughter, 
and many others. 

"We called a special meeting Monday for all who earn- 
estly desired to become Christians. The meeting was well 
attended, and some of the most influential citizens, and several 
young ladies celebrated for beauty, leaders of fashion and ball 
rooms, were present, and came forward for prayer. 

"The revival soon became the leading topic of discussion 
in the newspapers and social circle. The power of God in the 
meeting may be seen from this very remarkable case : 

"A committee of elegant young men, one of them the 
County Judge, called to see me, and said very courteously: 
'We come to make a very remarkable request, and we hope 
you will not refuse. Galveston has been making great prepa- 
rations for her annual Fourth of July ball, next week. We 
have already spent over $1,000.00 in making preparation for 
it, and have sent out tickets to Houston, Richmond, Mata- 
gorda and all the towns adjacent, and were expecting a grand 
time, but the wonderful meeting in the Baptist Church is 
interfering greatly with our plans. It is a remarkable fact, 
that twelve or fifteen beautiful young ladies, who are known 
as our ball room belles, are going up for prayer every night, 
and have written notes to their escorts asking them to be 
released from their promises to accompany them to the ball. 
We come, therefore, to ask you to suspend your meeting until 
after the ball, and then we promise you to do all we can to 
assist you.' 

" 'Gentlemen/ I said, 'I cannot grant your request. The 
devil has had full sway in Galveston a long time, and now the 
church has got the start, and we cannot suspend. 7 

"In their disappointment they said courteously, but with 
self-confidence, 'If you do not, we will break up your meet- 
ing. 7 I assured them, kindly, that the meeting was from the 
Power of God, and that neither man nor devil could break 
it up. 

"But that night, when the congregation had assembled, 
and I was about ready to commence preaching, our young 



80 The Life and Writings of 

ladies were conspicuously absent, but very soon they came 
walking up the aisle, each with her ball room escort, and took 
their seats side by side. Their trick was for each young man 
to go with his girl to church, whoop up the glories of the 
dance, take his seat by her, as they thought the girls would 
not have the moral courage to leave them and go up for 
prayer. 

"I said to Bro. Hill, that trick of the devil so confuses 
me that I cannot preach to-night. He said no, everybody 
came to hear you, and I cannot preach. I said, "Well, if I 
preach, I will close the pulpit door, and you kneel down and 
pray all the time I am preaching. I closed the door, he 
kneeled, and remained on his knees in earnest prayer through- 
out the entire time. As I heard his earnest breathings, I felt 
a new inspiration, and preached with melting power. 

"At the close of the sermon, I called upon all who wished 
to escape a burning hell and be saved in heaven, to come 
forward and kneel at the altar. 

"Miss Columbia Sydnor, a native of Virginia, but then 
a belle of Galveston, first rose, and with queenly dignity, and 
leaving the County Judge, came and knelt for prayer. Imme- 
diately all the young ladies followed her example, leaving 
their ball room escorts looking blank and bewildered. 

"There were several conversions that night, the meeting 
went on gloriously, and the Fourth of July ball was a failure. 

"The next painful hitch was about my talk on baptism. 
On the following Sunday, at 4 o'clock p. m., twelve young 
converts were to be baptized in a beautiful little lake, sur- 
rounded by blooming oleanders, pink and white. It is said 
that two thousand people were present to witness the 
ceremony. 

"As is always my custom, I explained briefly and lov- 
ingly that the beautiful ordinance of baptism is to remind us 
vividly of our Savior's baptism in the River Jordan, and also 
of His burial and glorious resurrection, and that it was also 
designed to illustrate our future burial and resurrection, and 
to proclaim to the world that we had died to sin, were now 
'buried in holy baptism, and raised up to walk in newness of 
life.' 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 81 

"This brief explanation astonished many of that assem- 
blage, who saw a beauty and solemnity in baptism never 
dreamed of before. Indeed, it shook the faith of many who 
believed in other modes, who had been attending the meeting. 

"Some of these said : "If Bro. Burleson is going to turn 
this great revival into a mean proselyting affair, we will have 
nothing more to do with it. 7 

"Colonel Gail Borden, a member of the Baptist Church, 
editor of the first newspaper published in the Republic, and 
whose soul was so full of the milk of human kindness that 
three years afterward he invented condensed milk, from which 
he amassed an immense fortune, could not bear the thought of 
offending any one, even by proclaiming God's truth. 

"He begged me to say nothing more whatever about bap- 
tism. I told him God said, 'Ye are my witnesses/ and the 
faithful witness must tell the truth, the whole truth and noth- 
ing but the truth, regardless of whom it offended. As a wit- 
ness of God, therefore, I was bound to preach the truth on 
baptism, communion, and every truth in the Bible, even if it 
should carry me, like grand old John Bunyan, to jail, or 
Obadiah Holmes, to the whipping post. 

"The following Sunday evening I baptized seventeen 
others, and before that large audience I repeated my explana- 
tion of the Scriptural meaning and Heavenly import of bap- 
tism. Colonel Borden was still more wrought up, and threat- 
ened to call a meeting of the Deacons, and request me to say 
nothing more about baptism. 

'1 told him all the Deacons On earth could not prevent 
me, as God's witness, from telling the whole truth. But his 
lovely daughters and noble son were joyfully converted and 
baptized, which gave him too much happiness to remain in a 
bad mood, and he gave me his hand and a carte blanche to 
preach just as I pleased. 

"The meeting continued four weeks, during which time 
there were fifty conversions and twenty-seven baptisms. 
Among this number were found the very flower of the young 
people of Galveston, with some elderly people of great 
influence. 

"D. B. Morrill, who, like Jonah, had left Vermont and 



82 The Life axd Writings of 

come to Texas to avoid preaching, was so powerfully awakened 
that he decided to give up a lucrative business, and consecrate 
his life to the gospel ministry. The two humble sisters whose 
prayers brought down from Heaven this great outpouring of 
the Spirit of God, were made unspeakably happy by seeing, 
one a husband, the other a son, soundly converted." 

The experience in this meeting, and the acquaintances 
formed during its progress, gave Mr. Burleson clearer concep- 
tions of the kind of work most needed, the magnitude of the 
State, and some of the difficulties that must be met and mas- 
tered. 

Rev. ^oah Hill, who assisted him, was then pastor of 
the Baptist Church in the flourishing town of Matagorda. He 
had been in the State two years, had traveled over the counties 
of Wharton, Matagorda, Jackson, Calhoun, Victoria, and 
other portions of the State, was well informed as to the condi- 
tions existing, and was, therefore, in position to give Mr. Bur- 
leson much accurate and exact information, from personal 
knowledge, as to the troubles that would be encountered. 

After the evening service these two preachers would 
often spend the greater portion of the night in discussing 
Texas, the future, as well as the present. 

Mr. Burleson, being twelve years younger than his 
co-laborer, was much impressed with his splendid natural 
ability; "his commanding appearance; his clear, deep-toned 
voice; his expressive eye and beaming countenance; his forci- 
ble arguments and clear reasoning; his melting and overpow- 
ering pathos as he preached Jesus to a dying world, often 
comforted the troubled heart, pointed the inquirer to the 
cross, and sounded the note of alarm in the ear of the trans- 
gressor." 

So strong were these impressions of Mr. Hill's match- 
less pulpit ability, that two years afterward, in 1850, when 
the Church in Houston decided to have a protracted meeting, 
the young pastor preferred him, above any other preacher in 
the State, to conduct it. 

His judgment was not at fault ; the meeting was held and 
proved to be a splendid success. 



De. Kufus C. Burleson. 



CHAPTER XI 



Retuens to Houston Eeom Galveston Meeting — Peose- 
cutes Chuech Wore — Accessions — Fame as an Evan- 
gelist — Receives Many Invitations to Hold Meetings 
— Revival in Bbenham — Congeegation of One Man 
— Boys Tey to Smoke Him Out — Devil "With Hot 
Chain — Judge BJayloe's Exhoetation — New Yeaes 
Ceeek Chuech — Foems an Aem at Beenham — Me. 
Bueleson Peesides Ovee the Confebence, and is 
Elected Eiest Pastoe. 



M 



R. BURLESON returned to Houston from the great 
Galveston meeting with fresh inspiration and enthu- 
siasm, and prosecuted church work along all lines. 
Accessions to the church were received at almost every serv- 
ice. The members, as well as the entire congregation, mani- 
fested much interest in all denominational enterprises, both in 
the State and in the country at large, and contributed liberally 
toward their maintenance. 

The people of Texas were evidently impressed that he 
was gifted as an evangelist, for, on his return to his charge in 
Houston, he received many pressing invitations from churches 
in different portions of the State to visit them and conduct 
revival meetings. He was naturally fond of this kind of 
religious activity, but his pastoral engagements were of an 
exacting nature, and he was forced to decline most of these 
invitations on this account. 

One of these calls came from Brenham, a small village, 



84 The Life and Writings of 

seventy-two miles west from Houston, and was signed by 
seventy-three persons, regardless of church connections. 

Mr. Burleson's plan when he settled in Houston was to 
devote every spare day and leisure hour to missionary labor. 
He was so much impressed with the cordial character of the 
invitation from Brenham that, after receiving permission from 
his Church to do so, he accepted it, and fixed the date for 
November 1st. An account of this great revival we shall 
allow the preacher to relate : 

1st. Because it is an interesting story; 

2nd. It illustrates the social and religious conditions 
existing in Texas at that time. 

3rd. It reveals a phase of Mr. Burleson's character, not 
generally known or understood. 

4th. It contains interesting scraps of Texas history. 

"I went to Brenham from Houston, Nov. 1st, 1848, at 
the earnest request of many brethren to hold a meeting. The 
county site had been moved from old Mount Vernon to Bren- 
ham in 1844. There were no streets or public buildings, and 
the. residences were all small, and many of them built of logs, 
or rough lumber. 

But as the county seat of one of the oldest and welthiest 
counties in the state, it had every prospect of becoming a cen- 
ter of great influence. 

The Episcopalians with their usual worldly wisdom, saw 
the future prospect of Brenham, and sent one of their greatest 
missionaries, Be v. Mr. Pearse, who was afterward made a 
Bishop, to plant their standard in that place. 

Mr. Pearse was once a Baptist, a graduate of Brown Uni- 
versity, and bore the stamp of Dr. Wayland's great logical 
mind. He was a fine organizer, and his social character most 
■excellent. He had received a pledge from Trinity church, 
New York, of two thousand dollars, for an Episcopal church 
building in Brenham, conditioned on the fact that the citizens 
would subscribe two thousand more. 

The public spirited citizens of Brenham were anxious to 
have a fine church building in the town, subscribed the two 
thousand dollars, and when I reached Brenham the foundation 
•of the edifice was already laid in stone. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 85 

Rev. Pearse, the far seeing Rector had already organized 
the whole town into a Parish and Vestrymen and Wardens 
had been chosen. 

Rev. A. A. Rueher, a preacher of the Disciples, a man of 
fine family and fine education, had already joined the Episco- 
pal church, and it seemed very evident, that the county seat 
of the fine old County of Washington was to become the 
stronghold of Episcopacy, though more than one-half the 
people were descendants of good Baptist stock. 

The Baptists of the county were very sad, but saw no 
remedy. Before going to Brenham I made appointments 
to preach at three country churches nearest the town; all 
these I filled, and secured their solemn promise to pray for me 
daily, in my great struggle. Very few Baptist sermons had 
been preached in the town up to this time, and I learned 
several who had joined the Episcopal church were not satis- 
fied with the step they had taken, and especially the wife of a 
leading merchant who was also a church warden. She was 
greatly troubled on the subject of baptism, and was anxious 
to talk with some Baptist minister, before being confirmed in 
the Episcopal church. 

I prayed earnestly to God to open the way for me to meet 
this lady. 

My first appointment was for 3 :30 Sunday evening in a 
small school house. After preaching at Mount Gilead eight 
miles west of Brenham, I hurried on to my appointment. 
My heart was sorely grieved on reaching the place, to find a 
great crowd gathered on the prairie near by, to run Sunday 
evening pony races. I asked of the first man I met, if there 
was not an appointment for preaching in town at that hour. 
He answered, "Oh, no, we do not have preaching except Parish 
preaching at 11 o'clock, the balance of our Sundays we devote 
to fun and frolic." But, he continued, the preuching place 
is at Giddings School house in the northern part of town on 
Independence road." 

I was still more grieved and disappointed on reaching the 
school house, to find only one man present, owing to some 
misunderstanding as to the time. He looked at me, I looked 
at him, and we looked at each other. I felt ashamed, for a 



86 The Life and Writings of 

big Houston preacher to come all the way to the county seat 
of the great County of Washington, and have a congregation 
of only one hearer, but remembering that our Saviour began a 
glorious work by preaching to one woman at the well, I drew 
near to my congregation and pleasantly said : "My friend 
you may not be aware of the fact that I am the preacher, but 
I am well aware of the fact that you are the congregation. 
As there should always be a good understanding between the 
preacher and the congregation, I will inform you that I am 
the preacher, and if the congregation wishes to hear preaching, 
I am ready to begin. The only thing necessary to do, is to 
change my text a little and preach from this, "Thou art the 
man." 

The congregation first smiled, then turned red, then pale, 
and said, 'Parson, I never did have a whole sermon preached 
at me, and know that it meant me and no one else, and if 
you had just as soon, I would like to put it off until night, and 
I will get some of the boys to come in and divide the responsi- 
bility with me/ I said, my friend, a bird in the hand is worth 
two in the bush, and one hearer in the church is worth forty 
charging around on the prairie, running pony races on Sun- 
day.' But he replied, 'if you will put it off until night, and 
preach in the board shanty, I will make them all come in.' 

I said all right, and with this understanding, we ad- 
journed without a formal benediction. I went to the Mcln- 
tyre hotel, and my congregation went out to stir up the boys, 
telling everybody there would be preaching by a big Houston 
preacher, in the house where Judge Baylor held court. He 
went especially to the saloons, where the crowd had congre- 
gated after the pony races were over, and said, 'Boys, boys, 
old Ed. Burleson, the great Indian and Mexican fighter has a 
cousin here, a Baptist preacher. He looks like he might fight 
the devil just like old Ed. fought Indians and Mexicans. He 
is six feet two inches tall, hair as black as a raven and has 
eyes like an eagle. He had an appointment at the school 
house at 3 :30 this evening, you fellows all went to the races 
but myself, and I was the only person present, and he wanted 
to preach to me from the text, 'Thou art the man.' Why, 
it would have frightened me to death, to sit there all alone, 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 87 

so I got him to put it off until tonight. Now I will be very 
much obliged, if you all will go out to hear him, for I prom- 
ised the preacher you would come, or else I would have got 
the whole sermon this evening.' 

'Oh, yes, of course, we will all go out, just for your sake, 
and because he is kin to old Ed. Burleson.' They did come in 
great numbers, the house was crowded, and I have never 
preached to a more attentive audience before or since. In 
the depths of my soul I felt that God was with me, and that 
glory would follow. After the service was over, the congre- 
gation slowly and silently retired. Large numbers of them 

assembled at Mr. P saloon, their social headquarters, 

and discussed the situation. They said it was mighty good 
preaching, drank to my health, General Ed. Burleson's health, 
and then to their own health; and I was told, that many 
of them not only got healthy, but wealthy and happy also. 
They said I should never come to Brenham again and start a 
meeting with a congregation of one, that they would all turn 
out, to hear me every time I preached. 

I spent Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in prayer, 
study, and visiting such families and persons as Lhoped would 
be benefited, and in preaching to vast crowds at night, for the 
whole town and surrounding country was thoroughly aroused. 
On "Wednesday night the service was unusually good, and the 
entire congregation was moved. Afterwards as usual, the 
boys assembled at Mr. P.'s saloon, and talked over the incidents 
of the night. One of them said : 'See here, boys, how long 
is this thing going to last? I can not stand it much longer. 
Last night I dreamed the old devil came after me with a red 
hot chain and a pair of tongs, and was about to drag me right 
down to hell.' 

Another remarked : 'I am getting awful tired, for I 
do believe some of you fellows have told him all about my 
meanness, for in every sermon he says something that fits my 
case precisely.' 

Another remarked : '1 am getting enough myself, for 
I can not sleep at night, he makes me think so much of my 
mother and her prayers, and the promises I made her when I 
came to Texas, and how shamefully I have broken those vows.' 



88 The Life and Writings oe 

Another said : Tm getting enough, of this meeting my- 
self, and. wish he would quit, and but for the looks of the 
thing, I would propose to run him oflV 

'That would never do/ one said, 'it would give us and the 
town a bad name, but I tell you what we can do. You heard 
him say he never swore nor smoked, and did things like that, 
we can smoke him out of the church, and he will be sure to 
leave town. 7 

They had all smoked rabbits out of hollow trees, when 
they were boys, and agreed that they could smoke a Baptist 
preacher out of his pulpit just as successfully. I never could 
tolerate the fumes of tobacco, and was about the easiest victim 
of an assault of this kind, they could have selected. 

Well, they decided to try it, all filled their pockets full 
of cigars, fired up and came to church. Some of them came 
in, and sat with the congregation. Others stood in the doors 
and filled the windows, but all smoking like a tar kiln. It 
was no unusual thing to see men smoking at public gatherings, 
in those early days in Texas. 

Soon the house was full of smoke, and I began to grow 
a little faint, but I understood what they were up to, and 
determined to speak on if it killed me. I never saw so many 
people smoking at once. It looked to me, as if every man in 
the house, had two cigars in his mouth instead of one. I made 
it a point in my sermon to talk a good deal about sulphur, 
fire and brimstone, and drew an awful picture of the doom 
that awaited the wicked in a gulf of fire and smoke, where 
Dives was then calling for one drop of water, to cool his 
parched tongue. They smoked me, and I smoked them. My 
fire and brimstone was eternal and outlasted theirs. Very 
soon their cigars went out, the house became clear of smoke, 
I recovered from my spell of faintness and preached on. 

After the benediction, they assembled at the saloon, and 
one of them said : 'Boys, he has beat us at our own game, 
we can smoke rabbits out of hollows, but we can not smoke 
Baptist preachers out of their pulpits. We have all acted 
shamefully tonight, and now let us do as we promised, go to 
hear Parson Burleson every time he preaches, and behave 
ourselves like gentlemen.' 



Dr. Eufus C. Burleson. 9 89 

Many in this crowd whom I outsmoked, were converted 
during the meeting, joined the church, and spent lives of 
Christian usefulness. 

The meeting continued with increasing interest until Sun- 
day night, when that grand lawyer and Baptist preacher, 
Judge B. E. B. Baylor came to open district court the next 
morning. After my sermon he arose and made a powerful 
and touching appeal, that moved the vast congregation to 
tears. 

'Our young brother,' he said, 'who has been preaching to 
you so earnestly, privately and publicly, for two weeks will 
leave in the morning for his home in Houston. The yellow 
fever is raging in that city, and this may be our young broth- 
er's last sermon to you. He has seemed to preach to you 
tonight as a dying man, to dying men. He has proclaimed 
the truth, not perhaps as you would like to hear it, but as he 
is commanded by the book of eternal truth. These truths you 
must accept, if you ever secure the favor of your Heavenly 
Father, regardless of any preconceived opinions you may en- 
tertain on the plan of salvation. God saves people in the 
wilds of Texas, just as He saves them everywhere, and only 
as He saves them everywhere, by grace, through faith in 
Christ. May his burning words sink deep into your hearts.' 

On the 20th day of December, 1846, two years before, a 
church had been organized by Judge Baylor, four miles north 
of Brenham, and christened New Years Creek Baptist Church. 
A few of the members lived at Brenham, but no organization 
had been effected. 

As a result of this meeting, the Baptists became quite 
strong around Brenham, and on the 25th of November, 1851, 
the New Years Creek Church passed the following resolution : 

"Whereas, In the gracious providence of God, it has 
become necessary to afford church privileges to the citizens of 
Brenham, and its vicinity, and as it is deemed inexpedient at 
present to organize a regular church there; 

Resolved, That Brethren Elliott Allcorn, J. C. Mundine, 
G. W. Buchanan, and James Stockton, together with any 
other members of this church, that may attend the meetings 
in that place, be, and they are hereby authorized, to sit in 



90 The Life and "Writings of 

conference and receive members into full fellowship of this 
church, and report said members to our conference meetings, 
from time to time immediately after their reception. This 
the parent church designated as "an arm." 

One week afterward, on the 1st of December, 1851, the 
arm at Brenham held its first conference meeting. R. C. Bur- 
leson was present, and presided, preached the first sermon to 
the "arm," placed the resolution passed by ~New Years Creek 
Church, into enforcement, saw the fruits of the meeting held 
in 1848, three years before, gathered into an organization the 
nucleus formed, and the foundation laid for the first Baptist 
church of Brenham, which became one of the leading churches 
in the state. 




•% 



De. Rufus C. Bubleson. 91 



CHAPTER XI 



Me. Burleson's Estimate of the Pastoeate — Authoeity 

OF THE ChUECH All LEGISLATION, CANON, CeEED OB 

DeCEEE NOT AuTHOBIZED BY THE WOED OF GoD REJECTED 

— Opposition to a Union of Chubch and State — 
Indeffinitely Called to Houston Pastoeate — De. A. 

J. GOEDON DlVEESITY OF MlNISTEBIAL GlFTS Me. BuB- 

leson Steicicen with Yellow Peveb, Choleea 

Called to Pastoeate at Huntsville, Ala. — Declines 
— Visits Independence — De. H. L. Geaves Resigns 
Peesidency of Bayloe Univeesity — Me. Bueleson 
Elected to Succeed Him — Sees Laegee Oppoetunities 
fob Usefulness and Accepts — Resign at Houston — 
Resolutions of the Chubch. 



Jl EW ministers ever lived who entertained a more 
exalted opinion of the Church of Jesus Christ, and 
had a clearer conception of the authority and calling 
of the pastor than R. C. Burleson. He imbibed much of the 
sentiment, and held to many of the opinions on this subject, 
of Dr. E. G. Robinson, his renowned preceptor, Professor of 
Biblical Interpretation in the Western Baptist Theological 
Seminary at Covington. 

He believed "the inspired Scriptures contained the 
supreme authority of Jesus Christ in all that relates to Chris- 
tian faith and practice, whether in ordinance, doctrine, a holy 
life, or the administration of church government. "These 



92 The Life and Writings of 

alone must be followed. All legislation, canon, creed or decree, 
springing from tradition, ecclesiastical authority, or usage of 
antiquity, not enjoined in the Scriptures, is to be resisted and 
rejected, from whatever source it may come, either inside the 
local church, or outside, as intolerable in the faith and prac- 
tice of the churches. 

That a Christian church must be made up of persons who 
are morally regenerated; and that it is not a simple voluntary 
association, but a body of people called out of the world around 
them, by Christ's special authority, to be a people peculiar to 
himself. That the regeneration of each person in the churchy 
must be wrought by the Holy Spirit, he must be baptized on hi& 
own choice and covenant to maintain the gospel in its purity- 

That the object of a Gospel church is to promote mutual 
growth in Truth, Purity and Love, the advancement o£ 
Christ's cause on earth, the salvation of the Christless. 

That Baptism and the Lord's Supper, after the apostolic?, 
appointment, both as it regards their relation to themselves 
as ordinances, and to other great Gospel teachings, should be 
practiced solely as God's Truth enjoins. Water can never 
wash away the stain of sin, and the Supper should only be 
celebrated when the local church is met in one place as a 
body." 

He earnestly opposed all connection of a Baptist Church 
with the government, and resisted all discriminations and dis- 
tinctions made by the State to the citizens on religious grounds- 
Baptists protest that civil governments have nothing what- 
ever to do with the control of religious organizations, but to 
give unrestricted liberty to the citizens to "worship God 
according to the dictates of their conscience, under their own 
vine and fig tree, where none dare molest or make them afraid/ 
That God never designed that his creatures should worship 
Him by law, or according to law, but to "render unto Csesar 
the things that were Caesar's, and unto God the things that 
were God's." Mr. Burleson insisted that this had been the 
contention of Baptists from the birth of Christ, along all suc- 
ceeding ages and times, and any other position held by a Bap- 
tist was nothing more and nothing less than heresy pure,, 
simple and unmixed. For the doctrines of soul Liberty, civil 



Dr. Ruftjs C. Burleson. 93 

and religious freedom, they have suffered pain and penalty 
in every form, even to martyrdom, in a thousand horrible 
ways. 

He believed, also, that not only individual Christians 
should witness for Christ, but that church members, in this 
organic capacity, should dwell, and live in such beautiful 
■Christian harmony and fellowship that it would be the most 
-effective of all witnessing, a light set upon a hill. 

Mr. Burleson believed, with that prince of modern pul- 
pits, Dr. A. J. Gordon, of Boston, that "there is one calling 
which deserves the name of the "High calling in Christ Jesus, ''* 
namely, the preacher of the Gospel. 

First, because it is a ministry of the Lord Jesus, of whom 
he is a disciple and embassador. 

Second, it is a ministry of the Gospel of the Grace of 
God, of which he is the Herald and witness. 

Third, it is a ministry of the Kingdom of God, in which 
lie is a subject and representative. 

Fourth, it is a ministry of the Church of God, in which 
lie is the servant and shepherd. 

Fifth, it is a ministry of the Holy Ghost, of whom he is 
an example, and overseer or bishop." 

He also believed with that great Southern preacher and 
scholar, Dr. B. B. C. Howell, his pastor while in Nashville 
University, in the authority and office of Deacon. 

"They are the depositories of all the common property 
and funds of the church ; to supply the necessities of the desti- 
tute and suffering. 

"They frequently receive contributions, and disburse 
the same at discretion. The whole church and congregation 
must, therefore, have, in their incorruptible integrity, the 
most abiding confidence. They must be of honest report." 

"They may be strict in their morals, spiritual in feeling, 
Tdnd, courteous and sincere in Christian intercourse, regular 
and punctual in the performance of all duties, and their 
hearts deeply imbued with a love of Christ. But even all this 
is not enough if not accompanied by orthodoxy in their Chris- 
tian doctrine; they must hold to the mystery of faith." 



94 The Life Am) Wejtixg-s of 

"Deacons will be called on to instruct the erring and 
weak, to confirm the strong and establish the wavering. They 
must, therefore, not be unsteady or wavering in their tenets, 
disposed for any reason to compromise truth, nor, on the 
other hand, dogmatical and overbearing in its defense, but 
gentle, firm and decided. " 

Mr. Burleson believed also and taught the democracy of 
the congregation. When they come together and reached 
conclusions, after a prayerful deliberation, that the voice of 
the church was supreme, when not contravened bv the word 
of God. 

He thought, furthermore, that where there was earnest, 
prayerful co-operation by the pastor, deacons and congrega- 
tion, that a mighty spiritual force was there formed, which 
would impress the most callous community for ( good, and press 
on with resistless might, though all the powers of darkness 
should oppose. 

"Divine Truth, in fact, all truth," he said, "might be 
temporarily overshadowed, and seemingly crushed, but it 
would rise from the ashes of the most despairing situation, 
just as John Bunyan emerged from Bedford jail, to illuminate 
the darkest recesses of earth." 

Not only did Mr. Burleson entertain this view as to the 
Divine authority of the church, the high calling of the min- 
ister and the office of Deacon, but preaching with him was a . 
passion, from the time he felt called to proclaim the truth, 
until he was settled in the Houston pastorate. 

While a student in Nashville Universtiy, he filled regu- 
lar appointments in the suburbs of the city of Nashville and 
surrounding country. 

At Covington, while attending the Theological Seminary, 
he had regular preaching stations, and notwith standing his 
arduous school duties, he never failed to fill his appointments 
Saturday and Sunday. Newport was one of the stations sup- 
plied, to which he transferred his membership in 1847. He 
continued this kind of missionary work after coming to Texas, 
and preached in private houses and communities, as the leisure 
could be found, within a radius of sixty miles around his 
place of residence. 



De. Rufus C. Burleson. 95 

In Houston he found the church composed of very 
strong, but incongruous elements. These were, however, 
brought into beautiful harmony, and his work was pleasant 
to himself, and acceptable without exception, to the members 
of the church and congregation. Which is shown by the fol- 
lowing facts taken from the old record : 

On January 3d, 1849, four clays before the close of the 
first year's work, he was unanimously recalled to the pasto- 
rate, for as long as it was agreeable to him to serve the church 
in. that capacity. At the same conference a resolution was 
passed expressing thanks to the Board of Missions of the 
Southern Baptist Convention, for sending him to Houston; 
and a committee, composed of Nelson Cavanaugh and R. S. 
Blount, appointed to transmit this- resolution to the Board at 
Marion. Alabama; and with instructions to accompany the let- 
ter with a check for $25.00, as a contribution from the church 
to its missionary enterprises. 

April 25th, 1850, a resolution was passed reciting per- 
fect and entire satisfaction with his work, and expressing the 
hope that he would continue in the pastorate. His salary was 
increased, and always promptly paid on the" first of every 
quarter. 

He had loving access to the home of every member of the 
church and congregation, and to the homes and hearts also of 
hundreds of families not Baptists. 

Almost every day he received testimonals, sometimes 
verbal, and sometimes in the form of affectionate letters, 
expressing high appreciation of hiniself as a man and minister, 
and containing assurances of warmest personal regard. 

Notwithstanding his belief in the divine 'institution of 
the church, authority of the pastor, the office of deacon, his 
love for proclaiming The Truth, his pleasant environments 
and congenial situation, Mr. Burleson was not satisfied; he 
longed for a broader, wider field of operations, and larger 
opportunites of Christian work and usefulness. 

He had conducted two successful revivals during his 
nine months' residence in Texas, one in Galveston, and one in 
Brenham, both begun and continued under the most untoward 
circumstances, which impressed him that he possessed some 
fitness for this kind of religious work. 



96 The Life and Writings of 

On the 31st of August, 1850, he handed in his resigna- 
tion as pastor of the Houston Church. Its consideration was 
fixed for September 2d, at which time the church refused to 
accept it, and begged him to withdraw it, if a sense of duty 
would allow him to do so. He explained that the course he 
had pursued was from a sense of duty, as he felt he could do 
more good as an evangelist. 

The old record, which has been closely examined, does 
not mention that the resignation was withdrawn, but it is pre- 
sumed it was, for the reason that he continued to serve the 
church. 

As stated, he tendered his resignation not because he 
was tired of the pastorate, or this particular pastorate, nor 
because his love for preaching was diminished, but to enter 
the field of evangelism. 

He believed, with that immortal Georgia preacher, Dr. 
Jesse Mercer, that among the ministers of Jesus Christ there is 
a diversity of gifts. Some are sent, like Paul, for the defense 
of the Gospel, and the establishment of the saints in the faith ; 
others, like J ames, to excite professors to every good word and 
work; others, like Peter, to awaken sinners to the fearful 
consequences of "neglecting so great a salvation." He also 
believed, that thorough self-knowledge was essential to the 
success of every minister; that he must know his peculiar capa- 
bilities and gifts, and then study, not only how to apply them, 
but the situation and field in which they can be most success- 
fully employed. 

While serving as pastor of the church in Houston, the 
resolution formed on the day of his graduation, to consecrate 
his life to Texas, was subjected to a severe test, and in a great 
variety of ways. In the summer of 1848 he was prostrated 
with yellow fever, during the dreadful epidemic that prevailed 
in that year, and little hope was entertained of his recovery. 

In 1849, he fell helpless and insensible on the street, a 
victim of cholera. 

Was offered the pastorate of a wealthy church in Hunts- 
ville, Alabama, and was asked if he would entertain the offer 
of Secretary of the Southern Baptist Publication Society, a 
position to which he was subsequently elected. 



De. Rufus C. Burleson. 97 

All these scourges, misfortunes and tempting honors 
would have been enough, it seems to cause an ordinary man 
to forget his vow, and turn his back on a people with whom 
he had resolved to rise or fall. Not so with Mr. Burleson. 
When death stood grimly grinning over his prostrate, helpless 
form, when unsolicited honors were his to command, he 
repeated his resolution to consecrate his life to Texas, and 
added, in the language of the Apostle Paul, "None of these 
things move me." 

Since his advent into the State, Mr. Burleson had made 
it a point to attend the annual commencement exercises of 
Baylor University, at Independence, in which he had always 
felt a deep interest. , 

In June, 1851, he was present, as usual, encouraging the 
professors and stimulating the pupils. Dr. Henry L. Graves, 
who had been president of the institution since 1845, tendered 
his resignation at the close of the exercises of the week. The 
Trustees were called together at once, and elected Mr. Bur- 
leson to succeed him. He had in no way sought this distin- 
guished honor, but saw in it the larger opportunities for which 
he had longed. The Trustees appointed ar committee to 
officially inform the members of the Houston Church, and 
request that their pastor be released from any contract or 
obligation under which he might be resting. 

The church was called together in special conference 
July 5th, 1851, and. the communication from the Board of 
Trustees presented and read. Mr. Burleson tendered his 
resignation, which was accepted, whereupon "W*. "W. McMahan 
offered the following preamble and resolutions : 

Whereas,, The Be v. B. C. Burleson, pastor of this 
church, has been called to the high and responsible position 
of the presidency of Baylor University, situated at Indepen- 
dence, Texas, and having tendered his resignation as pastor, 
and intimated to us that he would accept the call; therefore, 
be it 

Besolved, That we feel it to be our duty to acquiesce in 
the choice our pastor has made. Though the sacrifice on our 
part be irreparable, yet it is our duty to yield without a mur- 



98 The Life and "Writings of 

mur, to the loss, for the greater good which may flow to our 
beloved denomination. 

Resolved, Second, That we earnestly hope that he may 
prove himself to be a blessing to Baylor University, over 
which he is called to preside, and in the hands of Almighty 
God a blessing to the rising generation, is the prayer of this 
church. 

Resolved, Third, That our retiring pastor, R. C. Burleson, 
be invited to remain with us, preach and preside over our con- 
ference and business meetings, as moderator, until his duties 
shall call him to Independence." 

Mr. Burleson was much attached to this church and 
these people. He preached as many sermons during his long 
ministry as perhaps the average preacher, but this may be said 
to be his first and last pastorate. 

True, he served some churches in Mayhew Prairie, Mis- 
sissippi, in 1844-5, in an official capacity, but here his time 
was devoted to teaching, and preaching was the only capacity 
in which he served them. 

He was loth to leave this his first love, and only a sense of 
duty, impelled by a desire to do more for the people of the 
State he loved, than was offered in that position, led him to do 
so. 

Even then he was moved by the same holy emotion of the 
Savior, when taking leave of the apostles, "I will not leave 
you comfortless," "I will pray the Father and He shall give 
you another comforter." He recommended as a suitable man 
for that pulpit, Rev. Thomas J. Chilton, of Kentucky, an ex- 
member of congress, and a distinguished preacher. 

The church acted on Mr. Burleson's suggestion, and 
called Mr. Chilton to the pastorate. He accepted, and was 
formally installed as such December 6th, 1851. 

And thus ended the loving, tender relations between this 
popular preacher and pastor and these people, after covering 
three and one-half years, which was unruffled by a single 
inharmonious or discordant incident. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 99 



CHAPTER XIII 



Wisdom of Texas Pioneer Baptists in Founding Educa- 
tional Institutions — Union Association Organized — 
Texas Baptist Education Society Formed — Objects 
Delayed by the Mexican Invasion — Baptist Univer- 
sity Projected — Charter Issued by the Republic of 
Texas — Its Eame — Beautiful Story of Rev. Wm. M. 
Tryon and Judge R. E. B. Baylor — Towns Competing 
for Location — School Located at Independence — 
Subscription List — Dr. Henry L. Graves First Presi- 
dent. 



^^y HATEVER may be said in derogation of the foresight 
5£S5| and good sense of Texas pioneer Baptists, inattention 

' to the importance of educational matters cannot be 
charged against them. 

Since the patriots had made provisions most magnificent 
in proportions, in the Constitution of 1836, for a system of 
public education, which will be more fully noticed in a suc- 
ceeding chapter, they realized that steps must be taken with 
the view of founding a great Baptist university, where the 
morals of their children would be cultivated as well as the 
minds, and their education not entirely committed to the 
State. The subject had engaged the minds of Baptist min- 
isters and prominent laymen from the very incipiency of 
Texas Baptist missions; but the difficulties in the way of civil 
and religious restrictions, if not positive inhibitions, were 
insuperable, until the country achieved its independence, and 

Loffc 



100 The Life and Writings of 

a government was organized guaranteeing to all the fullest 
religious liberty, 

Travis Baptist Church was organized by Judge R. E. B. 
Baylor in 1839, the Church at Independence by Rev. Thomas 
Spraggins in 1839, and the Church at La Grange by Rev. T. 
W. Cox, in the same year. 

A call was issued for a convention, to be composed of 
delegates from all the churches in the State, for the purpose of 
organizing an association. Only the above named churches, 
with an aggregate membership of forty-five, responded to the 
call. J. J. Davis, John McNeese and Thomas Trenmier were 
elected to represent the Independence Church. W. H. Cleve- 
land, J. *W. Collins and James Hall represented the Church at 
Travis; R. E. B. Baylor, T. W. Cox, J. L. Davis and J. L. 
Lester the church at La Grange. 

These delegates assembled in Travis. Austin County, 
Thursday, October 8th, 1840, and organized the Union Bap- 
tist Association, the first Baptist organization in the State, 
except a local church. T. W. Cox was made Moderator, 
J. W. Collins, Secretary; R. E. B. Baylor, Corresponding 
Secretary. 

Education in general, and a Baptist school of high 
grade in particular, were some of the subjects to be considered 
at this meeting, and it was expected that a plan for a univer- 
sity would be formulated. 

Owing, however, to the small attendance, it was deemed 
wise to postpone the question for future consideration. 

The second session of tjie association was held at La 
Grange, October 7th, 1841. A larger number of churches 
were represented in this meeting, with a largely increased con- 
stituency, and after an exhaustive discussion of the subject, 
in all its limits and bearings, "The Texas Baptist Education 
Society" was organized, from which all Baptist educational 
institutions in the State have sprung, as will be hereafter seen. 

The members of this society were much enthused on the 
subject of education, and cherished the hope that they would 
be able to take immediate steps toward executing their 
purpose. 



De. Rttfits C. Bueleson. 101 

The invasion of Texas by a large force from Mexico 
under command of General Woll, in 1842, threw the country 
again into a state of war, the issues involved and the results 
of which completely absorbed public attention, and taxed the 
resources of the people to such an extent that all religious and 
educational enterprises were held in abeyance. 

Every man capable of bearing arms was in the Texas 
army, and determined to resist unto death the re-establish- 
ment of Mexican despotism, if this should be the price of per- 
petuating their liberties, secured through the struggles and 
sacrifices of a campaign of nearly twenty years. 

Owing to the disturbance thus created, only informal 
meetings of the Educational Society were held in 1841, 1842, 
1843 and 1844 at which little was accomplished, or even 
attempted, in the way of executing the great purpose for 
which it was formed. 

In October, 1845, the Society held its first regular ses- 
sion since its organization in 1841. The zeal of its promoters 
was unabated, however, and the work was taken up where it 
had been left off four years before. Judge E. E. B. Baylor 
was elected President; Wm. M. Try on, Vice-President; B. B. 
Baxter, Recording Secretary; J. G-. Thomas, Corresponding 
Secretary, and James L. Farquhar, Treasurer. A Board of 
Managers was created, composed of Hosea Garrett, ~N. T. 
Byars, Richard Ellis, Stephen Williams and Z. N". Morrell. 

At this meeting it was resolved to found a Baptist Uni- 
versity in Texas, upon a plan so broad that the requirements 
of existing conditions would be fully met, and that would be 
susceptible of enlargement and development to meet the 
demand of all ages to come. 

Rev. William M. Tryon and Judge R. E. B. Baylor were 
appointed a committee to prepare a charter for the institution, 
and secure its passage by the Congress of the Republic. 

We here digress to make a statement, and pause to recite 
an incident, which shows William M. Tryon and R. E. B. 
Baylor to be worthy of all the confidence ever reposed in them 
by the Baptists and the people of Texas generally. In this age 
of inordinate ambition, and in which a spirit of selfishness is 
injected into almost every transaction, public and private, the 



102 The Life and Writings of 

incident will read like a romance, or a fabrication in order to 
unduly exalt a favorite character. 

The early Baptists had their disagreements and intellect- 
ual conflicts. Some of their business meetings were stormy 
and tempestuous. The leaders were intellectual giants, and 
their convictions matured with deliberation, and were, there- 
fore, very decided. They were contended for earnestly and 
courageously, but always on their merit, in a spirit of fairness, 
and with no thought of subserving a selfish end. Selfish con- 
siderations were subordinated to the general good. If a sacri- 
fice was to be made, every man begged that he be allowed to 
make it, and that some one else be selected, if a distinguished 
honor was to be conferred. There never lived on this earth 
a people who more beautifully exemplified the doctrine of the 
apostle, "in honor preferring one another. " 

On one occasion, during a session of the trustees, there 
was a pressing necessity for $500. T. J. Jackson arose and 
subscribed the whole amount. This gave offense to every 
other member of the board. They said he was "greedy," and 
insisted on giving a part, or all of the amount, themselves. 

It frequently occurs in legislative and deliberative bodies, 
when the opportunity is offered to make some reputation, or 
to acquire some advantage, men are on their feet instantly, and 
there is a scramble for recognition from the presiding officer 
of the assembly. When, however, money for any purpose is 
needed, it matters little how laudable the object, nor how 
urgent and pressing the situation may be, men have to be fre- 
quently singled out and asked if they will not give. This is 
very justly called the high-pressure method of collecting. 

In the early days, when money was to be raised by the 
Trustees, there was a scramble for recognition from the Presi- 
dent, every member anxious to give his part, and even more, 
if the other members would permit him to be guilty of such a 
breach of early Texas ethics. These statements will be ques- 
tioned, perhaps, but they are from personal observation, made 
as a little boy, when I followed my venerated father to the 
meetings of the Board of Trustees of Baylor University. 

Judge Baylor was an eminent lawyer, well known to 
politicians and officials of the Republic, and the preparation of 



Dr. Rttfus C. Buklesox. 103 

the charter came strictly within the scope of his profession, 
and it seems that this feature of the committee's duty would 
have devolved very naturally on him. Bnt not so. Rev. 
William M. Tryon wrote the instrument thns demonstrating 
the versatility of his talent, leaving the blank for the insertion 
of the name. The document was submitted to Judge Baylor 
for revision and amendments. After considering it with 
much care, he approved the instrument as originally drafted, 
and suggested that the blank left for the name be filled with 
"Tryon University." 

Just here is to be recorded one of the sublimest acts of 
unselfishness to be found in the annals of Texas history. Both 
Judge Baylor and Mr. Tryon were men of great wisdom, and 
gifted with uncommon foresight. Representing the Baptists 
of Texas, they were reasonably well assured that they were 
building an institution that would, perhaps, stand to bless and 
benefit mankind through all the unfolding years of time, and 
that undying renown would be the heritage of the man whose 
name was placed in that blank. 

"If glory was a bait that angels swallowed, 
How then should souls allied to sense resist it." 

These patriot fathers must have been closely related to 
the gods. A contest arose between them, not for position, 
advantage or wealth, but to avoid those allurements of honor, 
so fascinating to ordinary mortals, and confer them on 
anofher. 

Mr. Tryon proposed that the institution be christened 
"Baylor." Judge Baylor objected, and suggested "Tryon." 
Mr. Tryon did not consent to this suggestion, stating that he 
had been actively advocating the establishment of the school 
for years, and if it were named in his honor, some might think 
his efforts had been in behalf of his own glory. 

Judge Baylor remarked that he had been in politics in 
both Kentucky and Texas, and, as is always the case, political 
prejudices had been engendered, which might seriously retard 
the enterprise in its incipiency. 

This controversy, involving only the avoidance of honor, 
was prolonged and remained unsettled, so Judge Baylor after- 



104 The Life and Writings of 

wards stated, until some other members of the Education 
Society were called in, who instructed the committee to insert 
the name of "Baylor University" in the blank. Not that 
Judge Baylor was held in higher esteem by the members of 
the society and friends of the institution than Mr. Try on, but 
for the reason that the unanimous verdict of the denomination 
was, that this honor was justly due one of these enterprising, 
self-denying and consecrated brethren, and only one could be 
the recipient of this compliment at their hands. 

There are few incidents in history more truthfully con- 
firming the beautiful apothegm of Mathew Pryor, "and vir- 
tue is her own reward." For while the institution bears the 
honored name of Baylor, yet the entire absence of the self- 
seeking spirit on the part of William M. Tryon on that his- 
tory making occasion, inseparably connects his name with that 
of Baylor. And he will receive like honor through all the 
ceaseless ages to come. 

The charter was applied for, and issued by the Republic 
of Texas, February 1st, 1845. Among the wise and liberal 
provisions of the charter, the following Board of Trustees 
were named : R. E. B. Baylor, J. Gr. Thomas, A. Gr. Haynes, 
Hosea Garrett, A. C. Horton, J. L. Lester, R. B. Jorman, 
James Huckings, Nelson Kavana.ugh, O. Drake, Eli Mercer, 
Aaron Shannon, J. L. Farquhar, R. S. Armstead, William M. 
Tryon, and E. W. Taylor. 

It provided for a preparatory department to the univer- 
sity; also a female department, and such other features of an 
institution of its grade as the Trustees in their judgment might 
ordain. 

The presiding officer of the school was styled President, 
other members of the faculty Professors, and the head of the 
female department, Principal. 

The first meeting of the Trustees was called to be held 
at Independence, May 7th, 1845. The charter provided that 
a quorum must consist of a majority of the board. At this 
meeting there was not a quorum present, and the board 
adjourned to meet at Brenham, May 15th. 

The board was temporarily organized at this meeting. 
Maj. Albert Gr. Haynes moved that Judge R. E. B. Baylor be 



Dr. Buftts C. Burleson. 105 

elected President. This motion prevailed, and Maj. Haynes 
went down in history as having made the first motion ever 
entertained by that noble body. 

A committee was appointed to draft by-laws, modes of 
procedure and rules of order for its government. At 7 o'clock 
p. m. the board reconvened. Judge Baylor being absent, H. 
Garrett was elected President pro tern. 

The subject of a location for the school was discussed, 
and a motion made to decide that question at that time. This 
motion was defeated, for the reason that the places that would 
become candidates for the location were not apprised that the 
question would be settled at that time. 

The board adjourned to meet at Mount Gilead, October 
the 13th, and public notice given that the question of locating 
the school would be determined at that time. 

This meeting was held pursuant to adjournment, and 
proposals for location received. Travis, Huntsville, Shan- 
non's Prairie and Independence entered the contest and filed 
their bids. 

Aaron Shannon, B. G. Jarman, J. G. Thomas and Nelson 
Kavanaugh were appointd on a committee to examine the 
propositions of these towns, and report to the board the result 
of their labor. At the afternoon session this committee 
reported as follows: 

"Your committee, having carefully examined the pro- 
posals as presented, and having fixed the valuation of all uncul- 
tivated lands, except town lots, at seventy-five cents per acre, 
and the town property at what such property might sell for in 
cash, find the aggregate result as follows : 

The subscription from Travis, $3,586.25; Huntsville, 
$5,417.75; Grimes' Prairie, $4,725.00; Independence, $7,- 
925.00; all of which is respectfully submitted. 

Money was exceedingly scarce in Texas during these 
early days, and not only were private business transactions 
largely conducted by barter, but subscriptions to public enter- 
prises were often made in kind; the donor giving such things 
as would serve a practical purpose. As will be seen by the 
report of the committee appointed to examine the bids of the 
towns competing for the location of the proposed school, this 



106 The Life and Writings of 

was the case in this instance. A very small part of the bids 
were in cash. 

To illustrate this point, a subscription of one of the towns 
that had entered the race for the location is here appended, 
which will be read with interest : 

One Section of Land. 

One Yoke of Oxen. 

Five Head of Cattle. 

One Cow and Calf. 

One Bay Mare. 

One Bale of Cotton. 

Twenty Days 7 Hauling. 

Cash, $200. 

Independence at that time was quite a center of wealth 
and refinement, and something also of an educational center. 
The natural beauty and healthfulness of the place was unsur- 
passed. These considerations, coupled with the fact that the 
financial offer was almost twice as large as any other place, 
induced the Trustees to fix the seat of the university in that 
charming and erstwhile glorious village. 

The question of location having been disposed of, the 
Board proceeded to organize permanently, a pro tern organi- 
zation only, having been all that had been effected up to this 
time. Rev. William M. Tryon was elected president, E. W. 
Taylor, secretary, and A. G. Haynes, treasurer. 

The Board held its third session in December, 1845, and 
after considering the question of a domicile for the school, 
concluded it would be unwise to undertake to erect a building, 
owing to the financial stringency of the times, and that a two- 
story frame building which was included in the Independence 
subscription, could be used for the opening. A committee was 
appointed to take up -the matter of a more suitable and com- 
modious structure, as soon as the business conditions of the 
country were improved. 

Bev. Henry L. Graves was elected first president of Bay- 
lor University, and Henry F. Gillette principal of the prepa- 
ratory department. 

Dr. Graves was born in Yanceyville, North Carolina, 
February 22d, 1813. He was a graduate of the University of 



Dr. Euftjs C. Burleson. 107 

i^orth Carolina, and filled the chair of Mathematics in Wake 
Forest College. In 1838 he moved to Georgia and took charge 
of a school at Cave Springs. In 1841 he took a course in 
Hamilton Theological Seminary, "New York. 

Returning to Georgia in 1843, he taught a classical school 
in Covington, until 1846; when he was elected as above stated, 
to the presidency of Baylor University. He departed from 
Covington for Texas immediately, and arrived in Galveston 
December 4th, 1846. Dr. Graves possessed those qualifica- 
tions and advantages that fitted him for the position to which 
he had been elected. He enjoyed both literary and theological 
training, and graduated in both departments. Dr. Graves 
was not only the first president of Baylor University, but was 
also the first president of the Baptist State Convention, or- 
ganized in 1848. He died December 4, 1881, in Brenham, 
Texas. 

Henry F. Gillette, the first principal of the preparatory 
department was quite a celebrated early Texas educator, hav- 
ing taught near Washington-on-the-Brazos for several years. 
In 1844 he moved to Independence and founded Indepen- 
dence Academy, the best known, and most successfully con- 
ducted school in the state. 

Mr. Gillette was born in Granbury, Connecticut, July 16, 
1815, and came to Texas in 1831, when a mere lad only 16 
years old. He was a graduate of Trinity College, Hartford, 
and educated for the Episcopal ministry. His health was 
greatly impaired by close application, and sedantary habits, 
lie dismissed this purpose from his mind. 

A more useful character never lived in Texas. After 
letiring from the school room at Independence, he settled on 
an estate on Galveston bay, and in 1866 founded Bayland 
Orphans home, which blessed Texas for nine years under his 
wise and parental management. 

Mr. Gillette was a warm and trusted personal friend of 
General Houston and President Anson Jones, both of whom, 
during their administrations offered him any position he might 
prefer, but he declined all political preferment, and chose the 
more unostentatious duties of life. He promoted all educa- 
tional enterprises projected in his day, and in this direction 



108 The Life and Writings of 

devoted his energies and tine ability. He died in 189 6, full of 
honors, at the ripe age of 81. 

On his retirement from active participation in the affairs 
of the school, the trustees to testify their high appreciation of 
the service rendered, adopted the following resolutions : 

"Resolved, By the Board of Trustees of Baylor Univer- 
sity in regular session assembled, that our thanks are justly 
due, and are hereby cheerfully tendered to Prof. Henry F.- 
Gillette, for his wise and faithful service to our cherished in- 
stitution during its infancy. 

Resolved, Second, That whatever measure of success it 
may have attained is to be credited to his learning, judgment 
and tact as a teacher, and that the best wishes of this Board for 
his success will follow him in every good work he may here- 
after undertake." 

The school was opened on the 18th of May, 1846, with 
24 pupils. Prof. Gillette had entire charge, and was the only 
teacher until October of that year, at which time the Trustees 
employed an assistant. 

On the 4th of February, 1847, Henry L. Graves the 
president, arrived at Independence, and assumed the responsi- 
bilities of his office. 

Up to this time, the trustees had reserved the right to have 
a voice in disciplinary and internal management of the school,, 
but at a meeting held June 1st, 1848, this authority was? 
abrogated, and the sole government and management was 
offered the president for two years. He to select his own as- 
sistants, receive all tuition fees, and become responsible for 
the salaries. President Graves acceded to the proposition. 

The attendance increased, though by no means as rapidly 
as was expected. Agents were employed to solicit subscrip- 
tions of money or material, and in 1849 a two-story stone 
building 40x50 feet, was commenced and completed the fol- 
lowing year. 

Permanent scholarships were provided for, by the Trus- 
tees as a means of commending the school to public patronage 
and favor. The price of permanent scholarships was fixed at 
$500, family at $100, church scholarships at $200, individual 
at $100, charity scholarships at $50. 



De. Rtjfus C. Burleson. 109 

The trustees were convinced that the receipts from tuition 
fees were then inadequate, and would for some time, under the 
most favorable circumstances, be insufficient to support the 
faculty. A resolution was therefore passed, that a strong 
effort be made to raise an endowment fund of $10,000. The 
interest from this sum, would enable the board to compensate 
the president, and the tuition fees could be applied toward 
the payment of his assistants. Six agents were appointed, viz : 
H. L. Graves, J. W. D. Creath, J. H. Stribling, K. C. Burle- 
son, G. W. Barnes,- and J. H. Taliaferro. These agents were 
instructed to sell scholarships, while prosecuting the work of 
raising the endowment. 

The Board of Trustees was a noble, liberal, broad-gauged 
body of men, and from the beginning had sacrificed and strug- 
gled most willingly, for the success of the school. They had 
very little encouragement up to this time, but were now more 
hopeful, as faint glimpses were caught of the silver lining 
that every cloud is said to have. 

This hope was short lived however, and -discouragements 
thickened. At the next meeting, held on the 13th of June, 
1851, Prsident Graves tendered his resignation. An effort 
was made to induce him to withdraw it, but he insisted on its 
-acceptance, which was done, and a vote of thanks tendered 
him, for the able manner in which he had presided over the 
institution from February 4th, 1847, to June 13th, 1851. 




110 The Life and Writings of 



CHAPTER XIV 



Baylor University Born in a Storm — Santa Fe Expedi- 
tion SOMERVILLE CAMPAIGN BATTLE OF MlER— TEXAS 

a New Country — Unsettled Conditions — Slow Pro- 
gress of all Schools — Judge A. S. Lipscomb — Per- 
sonal Popularity — Nominates Mr. Burleson for 
President — Providence Leading — Mr. Burleson's 
First Ambition — States Conditions of His Accept- 
ance — State Convention — Mass Meeting — Confers 
with Other College Presidents — Outlines His Pol- 
icy for Government of the School. 



AYLOE UNIVERSITY may be said to have been 
born in a storm, and lived in a storm up to the time 
Dr. Burleson was placed at the helm in 1851. The 
determination to establish it, was reached by the Texas Baptist 
Education Society in 1841, only five years after the close of 
the Revolution between Texas and Mexico in 1836, and before 
the excitement following that passionate period had fully sub- 
sided. During this time also, occurred the most serious con- 
flicts and collisions between the early settlers and Indian tribes. 
The Presidential election of that year was after a most stormy 
campaign which diverted the public mind from religious and 
educational affairs to politics, and was disquieting from every 
point of view. 

The sad fate of those who went on the Santa Fe Expedi- 
tion was still fresh in the minds of the people. The Somer- 
ville campaign, the battle of Mier and the Snively Expedition 
were distressing events in Texas history, of recent occurrence. 

The school was located in 1845, formally opened in 1846, 
while the heated and tumultuous campaign resulting in the 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 



Ill 



annexation of Texas to the United States, was distracting the 
attention of the people. It had scarcely emerged from the 
feverish conditions engendered by this controversy, when war 
was declared between the United States and Mexico, March 
11th, 1846. 

During that sanguinary conflict, not only Baylor Univer- 
sity, bnt every other moral and educational enterprise strug- 
gled for bare existence. 

Added to all these untoward conditions, it will be remem- 
bered that Texas was a new country, very sparsely settled, and 




A. S. LIPSCOMB. 

every interest, civil, religious, financial and commercial, was 
in an embryonic state. JSTothing was established as in older 
states, not even the government itself. 

For these reasons, and owing to these unsettled condi- 
tions, the institution had not grown as rapidly, met the de- 
mands of the people as readily, nor fulfilled its mission in the 
world as quickly, as its wise and unselfish projectors had hoped. 

Judge Abner S. Lipscomb had just become a member of 
the Board of Trustees; he was not only one of the most emi- 



112 The Life and Writings of 

nent lawyers in the state, but having held himself aloof from 
all the acrimonious political controversies of these times, was 
perhaps the most popular man in Texas. A brief notice of 
his life, is worthy of insertion in this record. Judge Lips- 
comb was born in South Carolina in 1789, and came to Texas 
in 1839, when he was 50 years old. He moved from South 
Carolina to Alabama in 1810 where he commenced the prac- 
tice of law after having studied under John C. Calhoun. He 
was district judge in 1819, and afterward from 1823 to 1835, 
chief justice of the supreme court of that state. He was 
appointed Secretary of State by President M. B. Lamar, after 
his arrival in Texas, and served during his administration, and 
later on elected an associate justice of that first famous 
supreme court of Texas, composed of E. T. Wheeler, John 
Hemphill and Abner S. Lipscomb. Their decisions and 
opinions are held in the very highest esteem by members of 
the legal profession, and their fame as lawyers has crossed 
state lines, and like their opinions has become the common 
property of the people of the United States. And even more, 
their opinions are quoted by English Barristers, as embodying 
the highest legal expressions upon all questions decided. 

It was most fortunate therefore that Judge Lipscomb 
was a member of the Board at this crisis in the history of the 
institution, and most fortunate also, that when the Board met 
June 13th, 1851, to elect Dr. Graves 7 successor, that Judge 
Lipscomb placed the name of Dr. Rufus C. Burleson in nomi- 
nation for the presidency of Baylor University. This fact 
alone, not only gave Mr. Burleson, who was now only 27 
years old, prestige, but was an endorsement of the school, 
which coming from a man of Judge Lipscomb's fame and 
popularity, was re-assuring to the Trustees and friends of the 
institution, who had labored so assiduously for its success, and 
inspired a degree of confidence in the minds of the people of 
Texas, that commendatory words from no other man in the 
state would have done. 

Mr. Burleson's election being without dissent or opposi- 
tion, he appeared before the Board, and signified his accept- 
ance of the high trust and grave responsibility. 

Here is the culmination of a story that those familiar 
with the circumstances, must clearly see is the direction of 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 113 

Providence, and in which Mr. Burleson is the leading human 
character. As already noticed, Mr. Burleson's first ambition 
and intention was to study law, and strive to become not only 
a great jurist, but a great statesman, and with this in view, 
a course of study was accordingly arranged. After his con- 
version however in 1839, he felt impressed to preach the 
Gospel, abandoned his original intention, and changed his 
course of study. 

While a student in Nashville University in 1840, his 
health became greatly impaired, and he was carried home to 
die. When, however, contrary to expectations, he regained his 
health, he wanted to return to Nashville University, but his 
father protested, thinking his health would again fail under 
the pressure of close application, and confinement. As a 
compromise measure he engaged to teach in Mississippi, from 
1840 to 1845. This experience, when his tastes and predilec- 
tions were in a formative state, cultivated and developed that 
disposition to instruct, which afterward became in him, an 
overwhelming, consuming desire. And while he never enter- 
tained any thought of abandoning the ministry, he decided that 
education should be the leading feature in the work of his life. 

If his father had allowed him to re-enter the university 
at Nashville, he would never have taught, and but for this 
experience in the school room, love for the work would not 
have been acquired; but for this love for the work, he never 
would have become president of Baylor University. All this 
was in answer to his prayers, offered to Almighty God (during 
numerous seasons of fasting) to lead and direct him into fields 
of labor, in which God's name might be glorified, and his life 
most usefully spent. 

In answer to prayer, God placed His hand on Rufus C. 
Burleson in the Piney woods of Pulton county, Mississippi, 
in 1841; led him back to north Alabama in 1845; to Coving- 
ton, Kentucky, in 1846; to Texas in 1848; preserved his life 
in 1849 when he was stricken down with a malignant malady; 
led him to Independence in 1851, and placed him where he 
would not be overlooked, when his head and hand were needed 
to direct the affairs of Baylor University, an infant Texas insti- 
tution. 



114 The Life and Writings of 

Dr. Burleson had attended every annual commencement 
of the school, from the year of his arrival, and was familiar 
with the plans of its government and control. He had also 
studied as he would a text-book, the laws by which Brown, 
Madison, and other successful universities were controlled, and 
saw T at a glance, some of the obstacles in the way of the har- 
monious and successful management of Baylor. The Trustees 
had reserved some rights in disciplinary, and other matters 
which did not come properly within the scope of their author- 
ity, and in order that this school might be placed on the high 
plane of other great institutions, and that clashes and con- 



J-~, 



ib::'i 




ON THE OLD COLLEGE CAMPUS AT INDEPENDENCE. 

The Building in which De. Burleson opened the Male Department of Baylor 
University, September 1st, 1851. 

nicts between faculty and trustees might be avoided, to the 
greatest extent possible, he offered certain conditions of his 
acceptance of the Presidency to the Board of Trustees. 

First. That all disciplinary, and internal matters of the 
school be arranged and settled by the Faculty, and all external 
and business affairs be managed by the Trustees. 

Second. That the university should never go in debt, 
and that a model should be agreed on for buildings, which 
could be carried out and completed part at a time, and yet form 
one harmonious whole when completed. 

Third. That an endowment of ten thousand dollars 



De. Rufus C. Bueleson. 115 

should be raised at once and placed at interest, and that this 
amount be increased to fifty thousand dollars, at the rate of ten 
thousand dollars every five years, and that the Trustees pro- 
vide adequate buildings as they were needed. 

Fourth. That the male and female pupils were to be 
separated, and the two departments to be conducted separately. 

Fifth. That as president of the school, he was not to be 
required to give up preaching the gospel, at such times and in 
such places as would not interfere or conflict with any official 
duties. 

The Board of Trustees after consultation, accepted all 
these conditions, as reasonable and wise, and on the 13th day 
of June, 1851, Dr. Burleson's official connection with Baylor 
University commenced. 

The Baptist State Convention was then in session at In- 
dependence, and delegates representing many of the best 
churches in Texas were present. The Trustees decided that it 
was an opportune time to place some of its policies, especially 
that of raising an endowment fund, beforerthe denomination. 
After advising with the officers and leaders of the convention, 
an agreement was reached that a great mass meeting would be 
held in the interest of the institution, on the night of June the 
14th. Invitations were issued to the people of Washington 
county regardless of denominational connections, to attend. 
To the students of history it is again a pleasure to introduce 
Judge Abner S. Lipscomb, whose friendship was so valuable 
to the institution in its infancy and early struggles. Judge 
Lipscomb, Judge R. E. B. Baylor, and Rev. J. W. D. Creath, 
were appointed to address the meeting, lay the plans of the 
Board before the people, and make an appeal for subscrip- 
tions to the endowment fund. 

The good effects of this meeting were numerous. Presi- 
dent Burleson felt less like he was leading a forlorn hope, or 
climbing aboard a sinking ship. The Trustees became still 
more hopeful, and the friends at large, much more encouraged. 

As a result of the appeal made for subscriptions to the 
endowment fund, five thousand, three hundred and fifty dol- 
lars was raised in cash and pledges, the largest amount per- 
haps, that had ever been raised in Texas at one time, for edu- 
cation or any kindred purpose. 



116 The Life and Writings of 

In this age of large private fortunes, immense aggrega- 
tion of wealth, and the liberal donations to universities and 
all eleemosynary institutions, this amount may seem insigni- 
ficant. But when the deranged currency system of the state 
at that time, is considered, the scarcity of money, the disturbed 
conditions through which the state, it may be said, was still 
passing, and the still more important fact, that the people with 
few exceptions, were not established in business, the amount 
is magnificent. A compliment to the earnestness and power 
of the speakers, and a splendid tribute to the liberality and 
self-sacrificing nature of those who gave it. 

Notwithstanding that Dr. Henry L. Graves, the retiring 
president, left the institution his parting benediction and bless- 
ing, and the fact that Dr. Burleson, the president-elect, 
brought with him much learning and enthusiasm to his new 
position, and notwithstanding there had been a forward move- 
ment all along the line, there were trustees and some friends 
full of pessimism, as to its future success and prosperity. 

They argued, that while some progress had been made, 
it was little more than a beginning; the buildings were mad-- 
equate and unsuitable; there was no prospect of obtaining 
scientific and pholosophical apparatus; and not even the 
nucleus of a library had been formed. Even the learning and 
enthusiasm of the new president did not remove the feeling 
of doubt; for they contended that while perhaps he was the 
best man for the place whose services were available, still he 
was comparatively a young man, with no experience as a 
college president. These whisperings of discontent and 
demoralization, reached Dr. Burleson's ear, but did not dis- 
courage him, though he was fully aware of all the difficulties 
that were in the way of the success of the school. 

One of the mottoes that he had adopted in early life was, 
"A resolute mind is omnipotent." 

He had the theory and outline of a great university 
clearly in his mind, but understood that there was a vast dif- 
ferance between practical and theoretical knowledge, and 
however plausible a proposition might be, unless it was sus- 
ceptible of demonstration, it was utterly useless in the practical 
affairs of life. The present emergency was not a time for 
experiments, and the application of Utopian plans. Mistakes 



Dr. Eufus C. Burleson. 117 

must be avoided, as far as human wisdom could accomplish 
that end. 

To prepare himself for every issue that might arise in his 
administration, he sought counsel from educators of known 
ability, and acknowledged success. 

Letters were addressed to Dr. R. E. Pattison, president 
of the Seminary at Covington, Kentucky; Dr. Francis Way- 
land, president of Brown University; Dr. Basil Manly, pres- 
ident of Alabama University, asking for advice and sug- 
gestions, as to how to proceed in building up a great Baptise 
University in Texas. 

All these distinguished scholars and college presidents 
responded by making timely suggestions, and furnishing val- 
uable literature covering this field of practical learning. All 
concurred in the opinion, that in an effort to build up a school 
in a new country, where the population was a heterogeneous 
mass with unsettled and conflicting interests, and with diver- 
gencies of opinion upon all questions, with society crude and 
unorganized, it would be necessary to remodel and modify the 
regulations and courses of study in older, and more thoroughly 
organized and completely equipped institutions. They ad- 
vised that in ordaining rules and policies, that such only should 
be adopted, as were susceptible of being ultimately developed 
into the system of well-understood college" law. 

After studying this literature, and considering all these 
suggestions, the following outline of the policy for the gov- 
ernment of the institution was decided on : 

First: The government of Baylor University shall be 
strictly parental to all her students, in sickness or in health, 
in or out of school, and ever an alma mater, and not injusta 
noverca. 

Second: The president and faculty will seek by every 
possible means, to guard the health, and cultivate the morals, 
as well as, develop the intellect of the student, that they may 
become useful citizens in church and state. 

Third: All hazing, acts of vandalism, disregard of 
property rights, shall be placed under an eternal ban, as 
crimes against the college government, and well-ordered 
society. 



118 The Life and Writings of 

Fourth : The president and faculty will seek to impress 
upon every student, the fact that every rule is made for his 
good, and its rigid enforcement to promote his welfare. 

Fifth : Adopt such a curriculum, prescribe such a course 
of studies and such modes of teaching as are calculated to 
arouse thought, and develop the habit and faculty of think- 
ing, rapidly, profoundly and correctly. 

Sixth : In addition to the usual course of college studies, 
give special attention to English literature, and the history of 
our own great men, so as to fire the soul with love for God, 
home and native land. 

Seventh: The president and faculty will treat all 
students exactly alike, regardless of their circumstances in 
life ; and personal favoritism and partiality will be eliminated 
entirely from all regulations governing the school. 

Eighth : The mottoes of Baylor University shall be, 
"Pro Ecclesia, Pro Texana;" "Dulce et Decorum, pro patria 
Mori." 

Having reached an understanding with the Trustees, as 
to a division of rights and authority between the President and 
themselves, and adopted the outline of a code for the Univer- 
sity, Dr. Burleson now commenced to cast about for a corps 
of teachers and assistants. 

He called to his assistance, Professor William L. Foster, 
Dr. T. C. Foster, Eev. Horace Clark, Miss Hattie Davis and 
Miss Mary Davis. In making his selections of teachers he 
was very fortunate, as all developed peculiar fitness for their 
positions, and worthy of the trust and confidence thus reposed 
in them. 




Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 119 



CHAPTER XV 



First Session of Baylor Under Dr. Burleson's Presidency 
— Difficulties Encountered — School Reported to be 
Dead — Method of Correcting Report — Dr. Burleson 
a Born Advertiser — First Catalogue Issued — Rev. 
James Huckins Appointed General Financial Agent 
— His Letter to the Trustees — President Burleson 
Impresses the Trustees with the Stupendous "Work 
of Building a Great University. 



T 



HE first session of Baylor University under Dr. Bur- 
leson's administration opened September the 1st, 
1851, under many difficulties. He seemed to be 
in his native element, however, when combating obstacles. 
He fought for every victory he ever achieved in life, and no 
success ever came to him except at the point of the bayonet. 

When confronted with a stupendous obstruction his 
slender form seemed to be suddenly transformed into the 
proportions of a mighty giant, and his entire moral and intel- 
lectual nature a mighty flame of unconquerable resolution. 

The impediments in the way of the success of the opening 
session were numerous. The only buildings w'ere a small 
two story house, erected in 1845 by the friends of Independ- 
ence Academy, 30x50 feet, and a two story stone building, 
built in 1849 by the trustees. The most serious trouble, how- 
ever, was the impression that had become current in every 
portion of the state, that owing to the resignation of Dr. H. 
L. Graves and faculty, the school was dead, and would never 
perhaps be resuscitated. 

The first work of the president and friends of the insti- 
tution therefore, was to counteract this erroneous impression, 



120 The Life and "Writings oe 

but just how, was a most perplexing problem. Texas at that 
time was entirely without railroads, telegraph or telephone 
lines, had no daily papers, and very few weeklies, and the only 
postal facilities or means of communication were by stage, or 
horse-back mail routes. The public thoroughfares had re- 
ceived little or no attention from state or county governments. 
Very few creeks were spanned by bridges, and the cumbersome 
ferry boat was the only means of crossing the larger rivers. 
It was a crisis however in the history of the school, and some- 
thing must be done. Dr. Burleson was equal to the emer- 
gency, and a plan was quickly devised. 

Circulars were printed announcing the opening of the 
school, personal letters were written to leading men in every 
settlement and community, and the services of a half dozen 
young men accustomed to horse back riding and familiar with 
the country, were secured. These half dozen couriers were 
started in as many directions, and each assigned to separate 
sections of country, so that no two would cover the same ter- 
ritory. 

These young men knew all the "trails," "fords," and 
short routes. If the water courses happened to be swollen, 
their hardy ponies were spurred into the water and swam 
to the opposite shores. They went on the wings of the wind, 
and in a few days every Baptist family in' the state, as well as 
many who were not Baptists, were in possession of a circular 
or letter, stating the status of educational affairs at Independ- 
ence; that not only would Baylor University open on the 
1st day of September, with a full corps of teachers, but that 
board could be secured at $8.00 per month, which included 
lodging and table accommodations, fuel, lights, laundry, medi- 
cines and nursing in case of sickness. This great sacrifice was 
made by the heroic people of the erstwhile delightful town 
of Independence, to encourage attendance, and thus enable 
the infant institution to recover its fallen fortunes, and get 
squarely on its feet. 

While these couriers were out, Dr. Burleson continued 
the work of putting the buildings in the best possible condi- 
tion, a work to which he had devoted himself with the resident 
trustees, during the entire summer. 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 121 

He decided to separate the male and female departments. 
The buildings were situated one thousand yards apart on op- 
posite hills. The male department would be conducted in the 
stone building known as Graves Hall, in honor of the first 
president, and the female department conducted in the frame 
building used by Independence Academy. 

The work of the special couriers was partially successful 
in removing the wrong impressions that had gained currency 
abroad, but not in time for many students who had expected 
to attend to make the needed preparation and reach Inde- 
pendence and enter at the beginning of the term. 

The school opened however with a total enrollment of 
fifty-two; twenty-seven in the male, and twenty-five in the 
female department. 



~~ 




OLD BAYLOR UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS AT INDEPENDENCE. 

From the pulpit, in the press, and on the platform much 
discussion had been indulged in as to the practicability or suc- 
cess of any effort to build up an institution of high grade in 
Texas at that time. The consensus of opinion was that society 
was too crude, and the attention and mind of the people too 
much absorbed in civil and political questions, giving form and 
stability to the government, building homes and establishing 
themselves in business, for that time and thought to be de- 
voted to an institution of learning, necessary to its success. 
It was contended, that the task when undertaken by Baptists 
owing to their democratic form of government, possessing no 
executive authority, relying, only on the constraining powers 



122 The Life and Writings of 

of voluntary action to execute plans, was utterly hopeless and 
useless. 

It was also argued that Methodists, Episcopalians, Pres- 
byterians and Catholics, in view of their centralized ecclesias- 
tical forms, would succeed in all their educational enterprises 
far better than Baptists. This fallacious and deceptive posi- 
tion, seems to have been accepted by some of the former 
friends of Baylor University, and nothing but a successful 
venture could be expected to remove it. Indeed the faculty 
had been tainted with this view, and justified themselves in 
entertaining it by the history of Baylor, and the small attend- 
ance upon the school at that time. 

They went to Dr. Burleson with their demoralization and 
disaffection, and told him that he had made a fatal mistake 
in leaving a flourishing church, to go aboard a sinking ship, 
and advised that president and faculty alike resign before 
being engulfed. This did not swerve him one hair's breadth 
from his purpose, but as in every emergency of his life, he 
went bravely and earnestly to work, not only in the class room, 
but in writing personal letters to prominent men, and sending 
circulars all over Texas, presenting the true condition of the 
school, and imploring them to stand by it in this supreme 
moment of its history, or else Baptist institutions in Texas 
would be doomed for a century, and possibly for all time to 
come. The few students in school were valuable allies in this 
campaign. They wrote to their friends at home, and espec- 
ially all former students of their acquaintance, urging them to 
return, that there had never been such enthusiasm in study, 
such love and harmony in social intercourse, and that Baylor 
University under the Presidency of Dr. Burleson, would be- 
come a grand success and some day the glory of the young 
Lone Star State. 

This method of advertising the school did not cease with 
the opening. The students and faculty continued to write 
personal letters, and Dr. Burleson advertised it liberally 
through the meager channels available, wrote articles for 
the press, correcting the mistake that Baylor University was 
dead, showing that it was not even in a moribund condition, 
but with a faculty unsurpassed by many older and better 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 123 

-established institutions, was prepared to offer first class educa- 
tional advantages. 

Dr. Burleson was a born advertiser, and this quality stood 
him in splendid stead all through life. What he wrote was 
read, and what he said was remembered. This plan of an- 
nouncing the condition of the school, and commending it to 
the people of Texas, was his origination. And while it may 
be said to have been simple, very natural, and in fact the only 
thing that could have been done under the circumstances, 
jet its wisdom consists in this fact. All great propositions 
are simple when demonstrated. Many men if confronted with 
"his difficulty would have folded their arms, lost heart, and 
failed to do anything. The plan succeeded, and very soon 
students commenced to return, and in June, 1852, there were 
ninety-one male and seventy-five female students on the col- 
lege roll, a total of one hundred and sixty-six. 

During this year a modest catalogue was issued, the first 
ever issued by any school in the state. This contained some- 
thing of a financial exhibit of the receipts and disbursements 
of money during the session, and showed President Burleson's 
compensation for the year to be exactly $332.00. His pro- 
portion of the money received would have been more than 
this sum, but he made a financial sacrifice, owing to the dis- 
content existing in the faculty with reference to their pay. 
Professors B. S. Fitzgerald and S. Gr. O'Bryan, both of 
whom were accomplished scholars and teachers of experience, 
nad been added to the teaching force, and nothing was more 
apparent than that the income from tuition receipts, could 
not be relied on to adequately compensate the members of the 
faculty. President Burleson pressed on the trustees the im- 
portance and urgent necessity of raising the endowment, stip- 
ulated as one of the conditions upon which he accepted the 
presidency. He volunteered to represent the board, in pre- 
senting the matter to the people of Texas, and suggested that 
Rev. James Huckins be employed as a general agent to raise 
the endowment. The board acted on President Burleson's 
-suggestion, at a meeting held on the 22d of June, 1852, and 
opened correspondence with Rev. Huckins immediately, who 
was then in the states. He was perfectly familiar with the 
history of the institution, and knew also every member of the 



124 The Life and Writings of 

Board. He knew them to be as noble spirits as ever served 
any institution, but all, except Judge Abner S. Lipscomb who 
had been a trustee of Alabama University, entirely without 
experience in the management of schools. Some members of 
the Board were fine scholars, all well educated, but learning 
was not the only quality required to launch a great educational 
enterprise upon a successful career, as stated, when Dr. Burle- 
son took charge, the trustees had reserved some authority int 
the internal and disciplinary government of the students. 
When shown and convinced by him that this was not properly 
within their province, this authority was relinquished, and they 
devoted themselves entirely to the business affairs of the 
school. 

But even in this matter they had made some mistakes., 
had disregarded the advice of experienced educators, and ira 
making expenditures had acted on the assumption that agents- 
who collected money were under no sort of responsibility to 
the donors for its judicious use. Dr. Huckins knew that agents 
frequently receive donations for a specific purpose, and are 
expected to see that the money is used to execute the purpose 
for which it was contributed. The acts of the Board he also- 
knew had not been reduced to business methods, or properly 
systematized, so while he was a devoted friend to the school,, 
and was willing to accept the agency, yet he learned lessons of 
wisdom from President Burleson in reference to the govern- 
ment of the University, and accepted the agency on the con- 
ditions laid down in the following communication : 

Hon. K. E. B. Baylor, Kev. G-. W. Baines, Hon. A. G. Haynes,, 

Hon. W. Holmes, Committee of the Trustees of Baylor 

University : 

Dear Brethren: Your proposition to employ me ass 
agent of Baylor University, at a salary of $1,000.00 per year 
and traveling expenses, has been very carefully considered,, 
and I am now prepared to accept it on certain conditions. 

In making these conditions, I disclaim anything like dic- 
tation, impeachment of your acts, or to question your motives. 
I have no such feeling; but as the great burden of collecting- 
funds devolves on me as agent, and as the donors will look to 
me in some degree for the judicious expenditure of their 
money, you must excuse these conditions: 



Dr. Ruftjs C. Burleson. 125 

First: That you make no further appropriations until 
all the liabilities of the school are liquidated. 

Second: That you make immediate efforts, as soon as 
the debts of the institution are paid, to build suitable edifices, 
for rooms to accommodate the students of the collegiate de- 
partment, and also a boarding house. 

Third : That at the. close of the present session, or your 
contract, you either sell the property you have purchased for 
.a boarding house or rent it, and apply the income to the pay- 
ment of interest due from the Trustees to the endowment 
fund. 

Fourth : That whatever is done in future by way of ex- 
penditure by the Trustees, so far as the funds department is 
•concerned, shall be done by funds subscribed, and given ex- 
pressly for that purpose, as no money as yet received was sub- 
scribed for this department. 

Fifth : That a more judicious and economical system of 
expenditures be adopted, and that a statement, or memoranda 
of your past disbursements, be collected and arranged in a book 
by your Treasurer, so as to show the plain standing of all your 
financial transactions. 

Should these conditions be satisfactory to you, and if 
they will, in your opinion be satisfactory to the Board, I am 
willing should Providence permit, to serve you. If they are 
not, then I can not accept the agency. I am accountable, as 
all agents are, in no small degree for a wise and judicious ex- 
penditure of all money collected. Donors look to the agent; 
if they complain, they complain to the agent. The secretaries, 
or chief agents of all our great Baptist missionary and educa- 
tional societies, are the responsible parties in the eyes of the 
public. The Boards are hardly known in such matters. So 
is the financial agent of any great body. They are the instru- 
mentalities by which the funds are raised, and they can not 
avoid the responsibility connected with their disbursement. 
If wasted, or injudiciously used, they are made to suffer. 

May I therefore again repeat, that I make these sugges- 
tions in love and affection. I regret exceedingly some ex- 
penditures that have been made, but in future I trust more 
•care will be exercised, and that we will be prepared to have 



126 The Life and Writings of 

every act scrutinized by a candid public and coming gener- 
ations. Sincerely Yours, 

JAMES HUCKINS. 
The Board of Trustees were successful business men, and 
thoroughly conscientious, but failed in a measure, to compre- 
hend the relations between an agent and the public, or those 
• that existed between the agent and trustees. They had not 
up to this time fully appreciated the fact that all money re- 
ceived by them was a trust fund for the honest and judicious 
handling of which, not only the agent was morally, if not 
legally accountable, but President Burleson also. 

As an educational document therefore it was very val- 
uable. More so, since it was in harmony with nearly every 
principle laid down by Dr. Burleson, defining the duties of 
President and Trustees, as a condition of his acceptance. They 
appreciated the wisdom of all Dr. Huckins' conditions, ac- 
cepted his terms, and commissioned him as the general finan- 
cial agent of the University. He was instructed to solicit sub- 
scriptions : 

First : To pay all debts of the University that had been 
incurred. 

Second : To erect suitable and commodious dormitories, 
so much needed for the male department. 

Third: For the Presidential endowment, and other 
chairs in the faculty. 

Fourth : To make much needed repairs and enlarge, and 
improve the accommodations in the female department. 

Fifth : To collect dues, and sell scholarships, for which 
the Board had provided. 

Sixth : To submit quarterly reports to the Treasurer of 
the Board, showing all subscriptions, and collections, and from 
what source derived. 

Seventh: To make a special effort to secure subscrip- 
tions to the endowment of the chair of Physical Science, which 
had been filled by Prof. J. B. Stiteler. 

President Burleson presented the importance of forming 
the nucleus of a college library to the Trustees, and also the 
indispensable neccessity of an ample supply of chemical and 
philosophical apparatus. Acting on his suggestion Dr. 



Dr. Eufus C. Btjrlesox. 127 

Huckins, the agent, was instructed to make an appeal to the 
people for standard books, and the means with which to pur* 
chase the apparatus. Dr. Huckins being then as noticed in 
the states, this contract was ma'de by correspondence, and he 
went immediately to work. Whatever of unwisdom may have 
characterized the acts of the Trustees on former occasions, 
and on other matters, they made no mistake in this instance. 
The agent was a loyal and devoted friend not only to Baylor 
University, but all Texas. He canvassed the state in 1838 
and ? 39 in the interest of the Home Mission Society, with the 
view of collecting data as to the needs of the state for that 
great organization of world wide usefulness. He had lived in 
Texas since 1840, and from two years traveling, and eleven 
years residence, he was prepared to present the cause he repre- 
sented from personal knowledge, which gave him a very de- 
cided advantage. 

Dr. Huckins was a fine scholar, an eloquent preacher, a 
happy extemporaneous speaker and a man of tireless energy. 
He possessed much personal magnetism, dauntless courage, 
and was very resolute in purpose. All these qualities fitted 
him for the position of general financial agent of the school, 
above almost any man, whose services could have been secured. 
He passed to his reward August 14th, 1863. 

The Board of Trustees held frequent sessions during the 
summer, and Dr. Burleson was in almost constant communi- 
cation with them. He impressed them with the stupendous 
work of building a great institution of learning anywhere, 
and under the most favorable circumstances, but especially 
in a new country, like Texas, was at that time. 

Personal and financial sacrifices would have to be made, 
herculean toil performed, sleepless vigilance exercised, and a 
high order of business wisdom and acumen required. Judge 
Lipscomb also lectured the Board frequently, not only coun- 
seling them very wisely, but giving them many chapters from 
his experience, as a trustee of Alabama University. By these 
means, the Trustees had a clearer conception of their duties, 
authority, prerogatives and privileges. More than this, the 
situation was much more hopeful and reassuring from the 
fact that there was a clear understanding between the Presi- 



128 



The Life and "Writings of 



dent and the Board, a perfect understanding between the agent 
and the Trustees also, and a beautiful degree of harmony pre- 
vailing between President, Trustees, General Agent and Fac- 
ulty. All these conditions presaged success, and the victories 



to be achieved in coming years. 




Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 129 



CHAPTER XVI 



Effects of the Revolutions Between Texas and Mexico 
in 1836, and Between the United States and Mexico 
in 1846 Still Perceptible — Mexicans Muttering, 
Texans on the Alert — Successful Canvass by the 
Financial Agent of Baylor in the States — His Re- 
port—Commences Work in Texas — Lonely Travels 
Sleeps Under Trees — President Burleson's Compen- 
sation for the First Year — Attendance. 



HE results of the revolution between Texas and Mexico 
in 1836, and the war between the United States and 
Mexico ten years later, in 1846, both ending in the 
defeat of the Mexican forces, and the loss of immense territory 
by Mexico, intensified the spirit of revolution among these peo- 
ple. Technically the issues involved in these wars were settled, 
morally there was no settlement at all, for the reason that the 
mass of Mexicans chafed under the defeat and disasters as a 
consequence of these wars, and longed for an opportune time 
to avenge their wrongs. 

One of the favorite pretexts and excuses for reviving and 
renewing the controversy with Texas, before being admitted 
into the Union, and with the United States after annexation, 
was the question of the boundary of the territory included in 
the geographical limits of Texas, and territory ceded to the 
American government as a result of the war of 7 46. 

The state had nothing to fear from the mutterings of dis- 
content heard across the Rio Grande, and the hostility and 
hatred of the Mexican people. The constant agitation of this 
question by the press of Mexico, and the remote possibility 



130 The Life and Writings of 

of another resort to arms with a people, with whom, as with 
all Latin races, revolution seems to be an innate element of 
disposition and character, kept the affairs of Texas in a state 
of some uncertainty, and hindered to some extent its progress 
and development. 

This was especially so of educational matters, and moral 
enterprises. Baylor University had been effected by these 
conditions. 

The Treaty negotiated with Mexico in 1853 by Thomas 
Gadsden, by which the United States paid ten million dollars, 
and secured the entire Marrila Valley, consisting of an area 
of forty-four thousand square miles, and including most of the 
territory of Arizona and New Mexico, removed even the possi- 
bility of further trouble with Mexico, and Texas from this time 
on, went forward in leaps and bounds. 

Dr. Burleson took advantage of this wise piece of states- 
manship, as it effected Baylor University in particular, and 
education in Texas in general, to advance the interest of the 
institution over which he presided. 

Another favorable event in the history of the school was, 
Rev. James Huckins, the general financial agent had returned 
from the states where he had been canvassing for Baylor 
University, with much success. He brought with him 
$2,256.00 in cash collected for the endowment fund, a number 
of valuable books presented to the library, and also contribu- 
tions for the nucleus of chemical, philosophical and scientific 
apparatus. 

A still more encouraging feature of the agent's report 
was that in New Orleans, Mobile, Charleston, Richmond, 
Nashville, Boston, and other centers of wealth and population 
that he had visited, and presented the importance of educa- 
tion in Texas, the interest of the people was aroused on the 
subject, and there was an earnest desire among the more in- 
fluential and educated classes for the religious and educa- 
tional uplifting of the people of the state. 

President Burleson was much encouraged by this report, 
and the Board instructed Dr. Huckins to commence his can- 
vass of Texas at once. 



Dr. Bufus C. Bttrlesox. 131 

Texas has now ten thousand miles of railroads on which 
fast trains fly from limit to limit in a few hours. It has also 
a network of telegraph and telephone lines, and almost every 
town and vicinity is blessed with a daily mail. In many 
places rural free delivery has been introduced, and mail matter 
is posted at the front gate and received at the same place. 
On occasions uncommonly urgent, when the telegraph 
line is thought to be too sIoav, people living hundreds, and 
thousands of miles away are rung up, and communicated with 
instantly, in person. The fast train annihilates distance, the 
telephone, time. 

Few people, now living, can appreciate what a canvass 
of the state at that time involved. It meant long, weary, 
horseback rides, over lonely prairies, and forest solitudes: 
sometimes swimming swollen streams, and resting at night 
beneath the gracious boughs of an oak. The tired horse, in- 
stead of being turned into a comfortable barn, was "hobbled 
out," to feed on the long grass, while the agent, meatless and 
breadless, hoped to reach a settler's house early the next morn- 
ing, and find something to satisfy the cravings of the inner 
man. 

Dr. Huckins had been tenderly bred, and notwithstanding 
he. had traveled in Texas for five years as missionary, and ad- 
vance agent for the American Baptist Home Mission Society, 
and knew the privations and hardships he would have to un- 
dergo, accepted the position cheerfully, and performed his 
duties gladly. 

On horseback, and alone, this scholar, and cultured Chris- 
tian man, who had thrilled the people of the East with hia 
eloquence, and elevated Texas pioneers to higher planes of 
social and Christian excellence, started on his mission. The 
scattered Baptists, and settlers were visited, the importance 
of Baylor University presented. The people loved the insti- 
tution, the cause of education and the man. They responded 
to his appeals generously and promptly, and if they had 
possessed the financial ability, every necessity and want of the 
University would have been supplied. 

Of money they had very little, and promised very little. 
Their substance, however, they divided, so when Dr. Huckins 



132 The Life and Writings of 

finished the year's canvass, and submitted his report to the 
Board of Trustees, he had raised $30,000. A small part of 
this was in cash, but the amount consisted mainly in wild 
lands, cows, horses, mules, hides, wool, beeves, and cotton. 

The agent's service in behalf of the school from a finan- 
cial standpoint was valuable, but was of equal, if not of more 
importance, from another point of view. It advertised it more 
than could have been done at that time, through any other 
medium, and thus brought it into prominence, and commended 
it to public favor, which perhaps could not have been accom- 
plished in any other way. 

The Trustees thanked Dr. Huckins for his timely and 
successful service to the institution, and he returned to Gal- 
veston, to accept the pastorate of the church which he had 
organized in 1840, and to which he had been unanimously 
recalled. 

As stated, Dr. Burlesons' compensation for the first year 
of his presidency was $336.00, as a result of his own arduous 
efforts, coupled with the successful work of the general agent, 
this was increased the second year to $642.00. 

Prof. J. B. Stiteler was added to the faculty during this 
year, and filled the chair of Natural Science, and the German 
language. 

The Philomathesian Society was established during this 
session, and held weekly meetings for debates, lectures, and 
other forms of mental culture. 

The course of study was broadened, raised to a higher 
standard, and into it a spirit of utilitarianism was infused. 

The study of the modern languages, especially the Span- 
ish and German, was decided to be of the highest importance 
by the President of the institution and Board of Trustees. 
The population of Mexico, they argued, to which Texas is 
properly the key, speak the Spanish; and the original grants of 
land in our rapidly growing state, are written in that language; 
and as many of the students have the practice of law in view, 
it is important that facilities be afforded them for acquiring 
the Spanish languages. 

The importance of the German, arises from the fact, that 
already a large number of these people have settled in this 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 133 

country, and hundreds more are daily arriving on our shores. 
In years to come, business contact with them will be unavoid- 
able, and while it is the duty of every person who emigrates to 
this country, with the view of making it his permanent home, 
claiming the protection of the United States flag, and taking 
advantage of our laws, to learn the English language and con- 
form to the genius of our civil institutions, still there may, 
and doubtless will be exegencies when a knowledge of the Ger- 
man will be both desirable and valuable. 

Hence President Burleson and the Trustees were anxious 
to secure a Faculty capable of teaching these languages, as well 
as the studies in the college course. They therefore congratu- 
lated themselves that in nominating a Faculty for this session, 
they had accomplished this most desirable end. They then 
spoke with some little boastfulness, and said, "Baylor Uni- 
versity can now furnish facilities for the acquisition of the 
French, Spanish and German languages, not surpassed by any 
similar institution. 

The matriculations in the male department at the close of 
this session were 95, two in the Sophomore class, 14 in the 
Freshman, and 77 in the preparatory department. In the 
female department about 90 students were enrolled, making 
a total of 185 students in the entire institution. 




134 The Life and "Writings of 



CHAPTER XVII 



Miss Georgia Jenkins — Birth — Comes to Texas with Her 
Father in 1836 — Attends Judson Female Institute — 
Graduates with Honor — Temperance Demonstration 
in Old Washington — Marriage in 1853 — Bridal 
Tour to New Orleans — First Dinner at Home — Con- 
sulted by Her Husband on all Important Matters — 
Domestic Policy — Government of Her Family — 
Sacrifices and Struggles for the Cause of Education 
in Texas — Her Character. 



^ K. BURLESON was very much absorbed in the affairs 
ggSfc of Baylor University during the session of 1853, but 
^^ not too much so, to devote himself to some of the 
weighty social and domestic affairs of life. He had visited In- 
dependence frequently, during his residence in Houston, 
formed the acquaintance of Miss Georgia Jenkins, and be- 
came enamored with her beauty, and charms of character. He 
wooed and won her hand and heart, and on the 3rd day of 
January, 1853, led her to the marriage altar, where Dr. Henry 
L. Graves, the first president of the University, in the little 
Baptist school house, used for the opening of Baylor, per- 
formed the ceremony that inseparably linked their destinies for 
life. 

Many acts of wisdom, in private, as well as public life, 
are to be justly placed to Dr. Burleson's credit, but in no step 
ever taken was more wisdom displayed than in this affair of 
the heart, as was fully verified by forty-eight years of mar- 
ried life. Miss Jenkins was born in Merriweather. Green 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 



135 



County, Georgia, and when a mere child, came to Texas in 
1836 with her father, Judge P. C. Jenkins, an eminent lawyer 
and statesman, and settled in Washington. 

Three years after her arrival in Texas, in 1839, Judson 
Female Institute' was established in Marion, Alabama, under 
the able management of Dr. Milo P. Jewett, who has the dis- 
tinction of being the first President of Vassar College, a school 
of world wide renown. Judson soon became one of the first 
institutions in the south, and when in 1849, Miss Jenkins was 
ready to enter college, she was sent to this institute. 




DR. BURLESON AND WIFE IN 1853. 

Although designed for young ladies, "it does not neglect 
solid and thorough education, yet it has always given special 
attention to the gesthetic branches, and as a consequence has 
gained great reputation for the accomplishments which it 
bestows upon, and weaves into the character and lives of the 
young ladies who are educated under its management." 

Miss Jenkins, being well prepared in the rudiments, 
finished the full course, and graduated with high honors in 
1852, and returned immediately to her home in the west. 

She came of a family of prominent cultivated people, 
and being well educated herself, was hence imbued with its 



136 The Life and Writings of 

importance, and well fitted for all the duties of an educator s 
wife. 

The Faculty of the University very generously made 
some financial concessions to Dr. Burleson, and excused him 
from active teaching duties, which enabled him to make a 
bridal tour to New Orleans. He and his bride were driven to 
Chappell Hill, and after spending two or three days with 
friends, took the stage for Houston. 

Galveston was then visited, two days pleasantly spent 
with acquaintances, after which, a steamer was taken for New 
Orleans, where they remained five weeks. 

Mrs. Burleson spent the time in social recreation, and 
Dr. Burleson in perfecting himself in the Spanish language. 

The tour was extended to Raymond, Mississippi. 

Returning to Texas, Dr. Burleson and bride went direct 
to their modest little cottage in Independence. 

The first dinner Mrs. Burleson ever served as mistress of 
her own household, she had to dine with her, Judge R. E. B. 
Baylor, Rev. H. Garrett, ~N. Kavanaugh, T. J. Jackson, Trus- 
tees of the school, and eight boarders. 

Mrs. Burleson's mother, with sympathy for her inexperi- 
enced daughter, contributed several dishes for the meal. Judge 
Baylor addressing himself to the young wife said, "Sister 
Burleson, your first dinner is most excellent, and if you im- 
prove as you acquire experience in the culinary art, you will 
be able to arrange a spread not only good enough for a college 
president, but fit for a king." 

Mrs. Burleson was too conscientious to receive all this 
compliment to herself, and divulged the secret that her good 
mother had assisted her in preparing the meal. 

At the marriage altar was not the first time Mr. Burleson 
had met Miss Jenkins "on an interesting public occasion. In 
1849, two years before their marriage, there was a great temp- 
erance demonstration in Washington, under the auspices of the 
Sons of Temperance. People were present from all the coun- 
try within a radius of one hundred miles of that town, and 
living witnesses estimate the crowd at ten thousand people, 
Governors, Senators, Congressmen, Judges, Lawyers and dis- 
tinguished Statesmen participated in the demonstration. It 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 137 

was on a scale far in advance of any meeting that had been 
undertaken in Texas up to that time and for brilliancy and 
display, easily exceeded any convocation ever held in the state. 

Miss Jenkins was selected to present a silk banner to the 
state organization of the Sons of Temperance, and Mr. Burle- 
son was commissioned to receive it. Miss Jenkins was a strong 
friend of temperance from her girlhood, and on this occasion 
acquitted herself with great credit, in the presentation address. 
Mr. Burleson was not a recent convert to the cause, and not a 
novice in temperance speaking, having delivered his first ad- 
dress on the subject in 1843, when only 20 years old in Ita- 
wamba County, Mississippi. 

Mrs. Burleson was consulted freely by her husband, be- 
fore o decision was reached upon any question of importance. 
This could be shown by a great number of letters written to 
her, during his absence from home. The following is selected 
for this purpose, from among scores found among his papers. 
It is used in this connection for the additional reason that it 
contains some reference to his election as president of Union 
University at Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 

Decatur, Ala.,* Aug. 21, 1859. 

My Dear Wife : — Since I mailed my last letter yester- 
day, I have received a communication from Doctors J. It. 
Graves and John ~W. King, informing me of my election to 
the Presidency of Union University. I am so overwhelmed 
with astonishment that I know not what to think, say or 
write. Oh how I do wish I was by your side to hear your wise 
counsel, always of so much value to me. I feel incompetent 
to decide any great question without your advice. 

In every respect, my position as President of Union Uni- 
versity would be easier, and perhaps more honorable and 
profitable. There we should be clear of taking boarders and 
much drudgery. The salary I learn is ample, and the society 
as good as any in the United States. Murfreesboro has about 
5,000 inhabitants, or is about the size of Houston. Then as 
successor of Dr. Eaton, my position would be as honorable as 
that of any Baptist preacher in the country. 

But then I am bound to Texas, our church, and Baylor 
University by a thousand tender ties of joy, of suffering and 



138 The Life and "Writings of 

affection. How could we leave our mother, brothers, sisters, 
and the bones of our little daughter; and Brothers Ross, Creath 
and Taliaferro ! The very thought makes me weep, and yet 
the hand of God may be in this move, and I dare not refuse it 
a prayerful consideration. We have had some experience in 
Texas that was by no means pleasant, but then opposition and 
difficulties would meet us anywhere, except in heaven. I con- 
fess it would be very agreeable to me to be so near my vener- 
able father, and other members of my family. One thing that 
astonishes me so much, is the course of Bro. J. R. Graves; he 
tells me my election was unanimous, urges me to accept, and 
overwhelmes me with kindness. 

Please show this letter to Brother Richard, and you and 
he write me your opinion immediately. 

I have replied to the note of the committee on notifica- 
tion, that I would visit Murfreesboro, and examine the situa- 
tion carefully, and give them an answer. But I promise you 
my dear wife on the altar of fidelity, and by the sweet eyes 
of our dear children, not to make any decision until I see or 
hear from you. 

Your devoted husband, 

RUFUS C. BUKLESOK 

Five children was the result of this union, only two of 
whom survive. 

Mrs. Hallie B. Morris, and Richard Adair Burleson, 
both of Waco, Texas. 

When God called the third little child to Himself, Dr. 
and Mrs. Burleson were in darkness and grief, but exclaimed, 
"Let God's will be done, it may be that He intends for us to 
be Mother and Father to the children of Texas." This was not 
to be, so far as all the children of Texas were concerned, but 
10,000 rise up to bless their memory, and hold them in the 
most affectionate recollection. 

To found, and successfully conduct the affairs of a great 
institution of learning, involves toil and sacrifice on the part 
of those immediately connected with it. This toil, this young 
and tenderly raised woman cheerfully performed, and these 



De. Rufus C. Bukleson. 139 

sacrifices she as cheerfully made. The full extent of her self- 
forgetf ulness only G-od will ever know. 

She is a woman of admirable poise and imbued with much 
tenacity of design. She was loyal to her father in the wilds 
of Texas long before Baylor University was established, has 
been a devoted working member of the Baptist church wher- 
ever she has lived, and true to her great husband in the grand 
work of his life. When he was in the midst of difficulties, and 
seemed to be almost overwhelmed, she was cool and. hopeful, 
and offered valuable counsel. 

Hers is a most beautiful life, and uniformly so; and her 
admirable traits of character were not only resplendent in 
times of sunshine and joy, but were lustrous and radiant when 
overcast with the clouds of adversity, when strength of pur- 
pose is most needed. To her children, she has been a mother, 
in the broadest acceptation of that term ; to her husband, a con- 
stant living inspiration, and richly deserves the exalted esteem 
in which she is held by family and friends. 

Mrs. Burleson, with a correct view of the mechanism of 
society, of which the family is the unit, believed with Mrs. 
Sarah J. Hale, 

"Home is the sphere of harmony and -peace, 
The spot where angels find a resting place, 
When, bearing blessings, they descend to earth." 

She understood that it was the key to the arch of refined 
society, and the corner-stone and foundation upon which rests 
the good found among all nations. She therefore sedulously 
guarded the threshold of her home that her family might be 
reared and dwell in an untainted atmosphere, "By their 
fruits' ye shall know them," was a declaration as true in its 
application to the moral, as the physical world. 

The law of cause and effect is ceaseless in its operations, 
and universal in the diffusion of its energies. In the relation 
of parent and child, its forces are as palpable, as the relation 
of the tree to the fruit it bears; so "Like parent like child" 
was no exception to the doctrine, and domesticity hangs to- 
gether like the various parts in architectureal construction. 

Mrs. Burleson therefore believed that, not only must 
her own life be a spotless example, but her children as well, 



140 



The Life and Writings of 








||f# 



MES. GEOEGIA J. BURLESON. 



Dr. Eufus C. Burleson. 141 

and that, her home must be untainted by the corrupting affairs 
of the world, if her family bore the blameless reputation, ex- 
pected of those occupying a position so exalted before the 
public. 

That her high ideals in personal character and home life 
might be attained, as nearly as possible, every book, the nature 
of which would tend to vitiate the taste of her household was 
placed under a ban; every amusement not calculated to ele- 
vate the character, prohibited, and every form of social recre- 
ation not refining in its tendency, disallowed, as a pastime, in 
the sacred precincts of her family circle. 

As a result of her domestic policy her surviving children 
Lave been to her a real joy in the evening of life, and not 
thorns in the flesh, as is too often the case where children are 
allowed to indulge in practices of doubtful propriety. 

Mrs. Burleson was raised in affluent circumstances, and 
was a stranger to the sacrifices she was called upon to make 
after her marriage for the cause of education in Texas; but 
nevertheless, whether occupying her first unpretending cottage 
at Independence and Waco, or her present more spacious 
residence, she was uncomplaining, and felt that her immola- 
tion was for the glory of God, and the good of the world. 

The improvement accomplished by the people in educa- 
tional matters in the last half of the nineteenth century, is 
flowing on in a mighty tide to the generations yet to come, 
and will roll on downward to latest posterity. It will bear 
upon its bosom our triumphs, our victories, our virtues and 
blessings, and whatever else we have, meritorious to bequeathe 
as an inheritance. All these will be enjoyed and shed their 
fragrance on lives not yet come into the world, and mankind 
will be raised to higher planes of moral and intellectual ex- 
cellence. 

But some things will not be transmitted, or inherited by 
posterity, either immediate or remote, and these are the trials 
and sacrifices made by such heroines as Mrs. Georgia J. Burle- 
son for nearly a half century, in behalf of education and re- 
ligion in the wilderness of Texas, when this mighty Baptist 
empire was almost a void, and without moral comeliness or 
form. 



142 The Life and Writings of 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



Baylor Now a Real University — Every Facility for a 
Complete Education Offered — A College Code 
Adopted — Duties of the President and Trustees 
Defined — Admission of Students — Course of Instruc- 
tion. 



jf^ T the opening of the third session of the institution in 

gSgwS 1854, 110 students matriculated in the male depart- 

* ment. Scholars were advanced to the Senior, Junior, 
Sophomore and Freshman classes, and the school began to 
assume the proportions of a real university. Every facility 
for a complete education was offered; notwithstanding which 
fact, there was some disposition on the part of parents to send 
their children to be educated in the schools of other states. 
This was ill-advised at the time, and unfair to Texas institu- 
tions, and remains so to-day. 

Dr. Burleson protested against the practice in the fol- 
lowing language : 

"The President and Trustees see with regret the tendency 
with some Texans to patronize Northern or distant colleges 
instead of sustaining institutions founded in their own state. 
It is evident however, that a young man educated in Texas, 
will have peculiar advantages, not only in forming many 
acquaintances from every part of the state during his college 
course, but in learning fully, the habits, character, and wants 
of the people with whom he is to live and act. 

It is the fixed determination of the President and Trus- 
tees, to fully meet the educational wants of Texas, and to 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 143 

qualify their students to become the brightest ornaments, and 
firmest pillars of this great and growing commonwealth/*' 

At a meeting held just before the opening of the session, 
the President and Trustees adopted a scientific course for the 
benefit of students preparing for business pursuits, or those 
whose means would not allow them to complete the regular 
course. This embraced the entire course of sciences, mathe- 
matics, Belles-Lettres, and one of the modern languages. Any 
student completing these studies, was entitled to the Degree 
of Bachelor of Philosophy. 

The adoption of the following code, gave the university 
still more dignity as such, and defined more clearly the rela- 
tions between President, Professor, Trustee and pupil. 

LAWS FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF BAYLOR UNI- 
VERSITY. 

The government of Baylor University is designed to par- 
take of both moral and parental character. 

It is intended by a mild, yet firm treatment, and by ap- 
pealing to the better feelings of the heart, to secure attention 
to study, a correct deportment, and a taste for intellectual pur- 
suits and virtuous habits. In order to secure these great ends 
with more certainty, the President and Board have estab- 
lished the following laws and regulations : 

Of the Board or Trustees. 

It shall be the duty of the Trustees to enact the laws, and 
taken general supervision of the University. They have the 
power to elect Professors, determine their salaries, and, if 
necessary, remove them from office. They shall conduct the 
financial affairs of the institution, and furnish buildings, lib- 
rary and apparatus. 

They shall have the sole power of expelling students, and 
fixing the rates of tuition. They shall meet as often as the 
good of the institution may require. 

Of the President and Professors. 

It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all the 
meetings of the Faculty, at which he shall be entitled to one 



144 The Life and Writings of 

vote as Professor, and the casting vote when the votes of the 
Faculty are equally divided. It shall be his duty to lay before 
the Faculty and Trustees all matters relating to the welfare 
of the institution, which may seem to him, to need their atten- 
tion. 

The President, aided by the Faculty, shall be charged 
with the execution of the laws of the University relating to 
instruction and discipline. He, or such officer as he may 
appoint in his absence, shall conduct religious services in the 
chapel, morning and evening. 

He shall make a semi-annual report in writing to the 
Board of Trustees, of the condition of every department; and 
shall offer such suggestions and propose such measures as in his 
opinion would tend to its improvement. 

He shall see that a regular and separate account is kept 
of every student's standing and character, and by the aid of 
the Faculty, shall promptly suspend every student whose 
standing, either moral or literary, is such as to require it ac- 
cording to law. 

He shall see that a monthly report of the standing of 
every student is sent to his parent or guardian. 

The President shall also be a Professor entitled to the 
salary and responsible for the duties of that office. 

Every Professor shall devote himself earnestly to 
the duties of his department, with which no other duty shall 
interfere. 

It shall be his duty not only to communicate a given 
amount of knowledge to his classes, but to incite in them an 
ardent love of learning and virtue, and inspire them with 
lofty aspirations for mental and moral greatness. 

Each Professor shall consider himself an officer of dis- 
cipline as much as of instruction, charged with the supervision 
of his own class. 

He will take notice of every instance of absence or viola- 
tion of the laws, whether in his own class or elsewhere, and 
take measures at once to correct it; if his own efforts be unsuc- 
cessful, or the offence be repeated, he shall report it to the 
proper authority. 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 145 

It shall be the duty of the Professors to report the Presi- 
dent to the Board of Trustees, if he neglect to enforce the 
laws of the University. 

Each recitation shall continue one hour, unless otherwise 
ordered by the Faculty. Of this time, fifteen minutes shall be 
occupied in reviewing the recitation of the preceding day. 

The time of recitations shall be so arranged that each 
student may have ten minutes recreation between his recita- 
tions. 

Immediately after the daily recitation of each student, 
the Professor shall affix a numerical mark to his name, desig- 
nating the value of his recitation. Por a perfect recitation the 
number shall be ten; for an imperfect one a smaller number, 
and for a deficiency 0. 

If the deficiency has been satisfactorily explained before 
the commencement of the recitation — that is, if it has arisen 
from circumstances over which the student had no control, no 
other mark shall be added, If the explanation be unsatisfac- 
tory, or if no explanation be offered, it shall incur an additional 
demerit mark of from three to ten. Disturbance in the chapel, 
or the lecture room, or in any part of the College premises, 
shall incur a demerit of from three to ten. 

Absence at the time of calling the roll, unless previous 
permission be granted, or unless the reason why that permis- 
sion could not be requested, be rendered previously to 12 
o'clock, M., of the subsequent day, shall incur a demerit of 
from three to ten. 

Absence from rooms after dark and before 9 o'clock, P. 
M., a demerit of five; if after nine o'clock, P. M., a demerit 
of ten. These will all be entered upon the report of each 
Professor. No allowance is ever to be made for repeated neg- 
ligence or habitual indolence. 

Whenever the demerits of a student for any term amount 
to thirty, it shall be the duty of the President to inform his 
parent or guardian of the fact, and whenever his demerits 
amount to one hundred, to dismiss him from the University 
and to inform his parent or guardian that he has done so. 

On Monday of every week each officer shall make to the 

10 



146 The Life ami Writings of 

President a report of the standing of every student for the 
week preceding. 

The Faculty shall meet weekly at such hour as they may 
appoint. They shall choose a Secretary, who shall keep a 
permanent record of all their doings. 

Each Professor shall hold himself responsible for the 
condition of his recitation room, and for the preservation and 
good order of the apparatus and instruments committed to his 
charge. 

The Board of Trustees shall have the authority to dis- 
miss any officer whenever, in their judgment, the good of the 
Institution may demand it; and also to appoint any person or 
persons of good moral character and ascertained competency 
to teach in the University, in any department of science or 
learning, on such conditions as they may approve. 

No Professor shall resign without permission of the Board 
of Trustees, except at the end of a term, and after having 
given two months' previous notice of his intention to do so. 

Admission of Students. 

No student shall be admitted unless he presents to the 
President suitable testimonials of good moral character; and 
if he comes from another College he must also present a certifi- 
cate of regular dismission, and of good standing in the institu- 
tion he has left. 

The earliest age at which it will be advantageous for h 
student to enter the University, is at the completion of the 
fifteenth year. The President is, however, authorized to 
matriculate a student at an earlier age, provided sufficient and 
peculiar reasons exist, and his parent or guardian places him 
under such moral supervision, as is satisfactory to himself. 

The form of matriculation is as follows : A student who 
wishes to become a member of the University must first pre- 
sent his testimonals to the President, who, if satisfied of his 
evidences of good character, will admit him as a candidate for 
examination, and direct him to the officer, by whom the exam- 
ination is to be made. If his examination be satisfactory, the 
student shall procure and read a copy of the By-Laws of the 
University; after which he shall call on the President, and 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 147 

sign a declaration of his deliberate intention to obey all the 
laws of the University, so long as he shall remain a member 
of it.. 

As soon as a student is matriculated, the President shall 
furnish his parent or guardian (if he be a minor) a copy of the 
laws of the University. 

Requisition eor Admission. 

Students received in the Preparatory Department at any 
stage of advancement. Candidates for admission in the Fresh- 
man class, must sustain an examination in the following books : 
English, Latin and Greek Grammars, Caesar, Virgil, Cicero's 
select orations, Greek Testament, Arithmetic, and Algebra as 
far as equations of the second degree. Candidates for ad- 
vanced standing, must sustain an examination in all the studies 
required of the class which they wish to enter. 

Course or Study. 

The following are courses of instruction in the University. 
Others may be added however from time to time, according 
to the pleasure of the Faculty and Trustees : 

A course of instruction in the Latin language and litera- 
ture. 

A course of instruction in the Greek language and litera- 
ture. 

A course of instruction in Mathematics. 

A course of instruction in Modern Languages. 

A course of instruction in Natural Philosophy. 

A course of instruction in Civil Engineering. 

A course of instruction in Chemistry and Physiology. 

A course of instruction in the English Language and Lit- 
erature, and Rhetoric and Oratory. 

A course of instruction in Moral and Intellectual Philo- 
sophy, and the Evidences of Christianity. 

A course of instruction in History and Political Economy. 

A course of instruction in the Application of Chemistry 
to the Fine Arts. 



148 The Life and Writings oe 

Any student completing the above courses shall be en- 
titled to the Degree of A. B. 

Partial Course. 

Those who wish to pursue a partial course of study can do 
so by a request from their parent or guardian; or, if of suit- 
able age, by their own request. They will be required to re- 
cite with the regular classes in those studies which are similar. 
They will have the privilege of regular students, and free 
access to the Library and Lectures. 

By-Laws. 

As the object of discipline is to promote mental and moral 
culture, and restrain vice, the following laws shall be strictly 
observed : 

1st. Every student shall pursue diligently the course of 
studies prescribed for him by the Faculty; and failing to do 
so, he shall first be affectionately admonished by the Faculty, 
and unless reclaimed, shall be suspended from the Institution. 

2nd. If a student is unable, from ill health, to pursue 
his studies, he shall immediately request leave of absence; 
until such be obtained, he is held responsible for the discharge 
of his duties. It shall be the duty of the President to com- 
municate immediately to the parent or guardian of the student 
that such leave of absence has been granted. 

3rd. Any student guilty of using profane or obscene lan- 
guage shall be publicly reprimanded; and for the third offense 
he shall be suspended. 

4th. No student shall carry about his person or keep fire- 
arms or other dangerous weapons, and if found guilty shall be 
suspended. 

5th. Any student guilty of playing at cards, or any 
other game of hazard, shall be suspended. 

6th. Any student who shall oppose, or speak against the 
decisions and established rules of the Faculty, in the presence 
of other students, shall first be publicly reprimanded, and on 
the second offense shall be suspended. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 149 

7th. Any student who shall be guilty of licentiousness, 
using ardent spirits, or visiting drinking establishments, shall 
be suspended. 

8th. No student shall be out of his room after the hour 
prescribed by the Faculty; and any student guilty of nocturnal 
disorders or roveliings, shall be suspended. 

9th. No student shall become connected with any danc- 
ing school, society or social club, without the approval of the 
Faculty. 

10th. No suspended student shall come within the col- 
lege campus, but shall retire to such place, and for such a time 
as prescribed by the Faculty; and failing to obey this rule, 
shall be deemed worthy of expulsion. 

11th. Any student who associates with an expelled stu- 
dent, shall be deemed worthy of suspension. 

12th. The laws of the University extend over the whole 
period, from commencement to close of term; no portion of 
any week being exempt from them. 

13th. Any student who behaves improperly at church, 
or commits any act inconsistent with the deportment of a 
gentleman, shall first be affectionately admonished by the 
President, and unless reclaimed, he shall request the parent 
or guardian to withdraw the offender from the institution. 

14th. Every student shall be responsible for the dam- 
ages committed by him on the furniture and property of the 
institution. 

15th. Permission of absence from the University shall 
not be granted unless for causes of urgent necessity. 

16th. No student who is a minor, shall open an account 
without the written permission of his parent or guardian: 
and every student is required to make a monthly report to his 
parent or guardian of his expenses. 

17. The Faculty shall have power to enact, from time 
to time, such other regulations as they may deem necessary, 
not inconsistent with the established laws and regulations of 
the University. 

The "Adelphian," the third volunteer literary society was 
formed among the students during the session. 



150 The Life and Writings of 



CHAPTER XIX 



Close of the Fall Teem of 1854 — School in Prosperous 
Condition — Three Literary, and Several Secret 
Societies Formed — Society Demonstration — Address 
of Rev. R. H. Taliaferro — President Burleson Un- 
favorably Impressed with the Effect of These So- 
cieties on the Student Body — Delivers a Lec- 
ture on the Subject in 1855, Which was Repeated, 
and Elaborated Before the State Teachers' Associa- 
tion at El Paso in 1898 — The El Paso Address — Haz- 
ing^ — The Practice Suppressed in Baylor University. 



/^ T the close of the session of Baylor University in 1854, 

£*•«$' there were three literary, or debating societies con- 
* nected with the institution, all partaking more or less 
of a secret nature. The Philomathesian, Erisophian and Adel- 
phian. In addition to these were several purely secret societies 
formed and almost every student in the university was a mem- 
ber of some one of these organizations. The members became 
much absorbed in the success of these societies, and in many 
instances neglected their studies to promote their welfare. 
They gave a great demonstration during commencement week, 
and invited Rev. R. H. Taliaferro then pastor at Austin, to 
deliver a special address before them. Mr. Taliaferro's ad- 
dress was eloquent, wise and most profound, and gave these 
college secret societies much prestige. 

President Burleson had encouraged their organization, 
thinking they would result in only good to the members, but 
they assumed an attitude toward student life, that did not im- 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 151 

press him very favorably. At the opening of the session of 
1855, he delivered a lecture before the students on the sub- 
ject of such organizations;, which embodied some of his settled 
policies for the government of schools. This lecture was 
elaborated, the subject developed, and delivered before the 
Texas State Teachers' Association at El Paso, during the ses- 
sion of 1898. This address contains so much college wisdom, 
so much college history, and is so characteristic of the man that 
we give it in full. The address is reproduced also, to show 
that Dr. Burleson at this early period in his life as a college 
President, plainly saw the evils of hazing among students 
and he was among the first educators in America to stamp the 
practice with strong disapproval, and place it under an eternal 
ban, so far as the institution over which he presided was con- 
cerned. 

Secret Societies in Colleges. 

There is no question that demands the profound attention 
of educators and patriots more than the inner life and moral 
culture of our colleges and universities. After fifty-seven 
years' experience and earnest study, I am convinced that many 
of our great universities are sowing the tares of lawlessness and 
anarchy. 

I refer especially to the brutal habit of "hazing," or drag- 
ging new students out of their beds at the hour of midnight, 
tying their hands, blindfolding them, drenching them in mud 
or water, encasing them in coffins, and other things that would 
disgrace Comanche Indians. I also refer to stealing chickens 
and turkeys, robbing bee-gums, tearing down gates and sign- 
boards, hauling away buggies and carriages, etc., which are 
tolerated and laughed at as college tricks in many of our great 
institutions. Secret societies are justly regarded as the chief 
and fountain of many of these degrading habits in college life. 
Especially as their acts are shrouded in profound darkness and 
secrecy. I remark, first, secret societies in colleges are ab- 
solutely hostile to the true model of every college. 

Every college should be a great literary family, to guard 
and nurture inexperienced sons and daughters and prepare 
them for the struggles and joys of life. The President and 



152 The Life and Writings of 

every teacher should be "in loco parentis/' and should guard 
with parental tenderness every student, rich and poor, in sick- 
ness and health, in or out of study hours. The students should 
form a great literary family of brothers and sisters. For this 
reason all true colleges are called Alma Maters, or fostering 
mothers. And every college that does not thus tenderly guard 
her students is a disgrace to the name of Alma Mater, and is 
only a step-mother, or as Horace says, Injusta Noverca. 
Everyone will see what a monster a secret society would be in 
the family. How utterly destructive it would be to all fam- 
ily relations for the father and part of the family to form 
one secret society and the mother and the remainder of the 
family to form another. But it has been argued that Masonry 
and Odd Fellows are secret societies and they confer great 
blessings on individuals. But the nature and purposes of 
Masonry and Odd Fellowship are utterly unlike secret soci- 
eties in colleges. Their great object is to protect their mem- 
bers among strangers even in foreign lands. And to protect 
the widows and orphans of deceased brethren. And these 
noble societies when thus conducted, separate from church 
and State, become a blessing. But secret societies in colleges 
can have no such purposes. College boys are not expected to 
wander far away among strangers and have no orphans and 
widows to protect. Secret societies are as useless appendages 
as the fifth wheel of a wagon. Not only useless but liable to 
entangle and upset the wheels that are necessary. Every col- 
lege student knows that societies separate and apart from the 
regular class room, to draw students closer together and discuss 
freely literary topics, are essential and form an oasis in col- 
lege life. These societies give the college student all the 
social enjoyment and literary culture he needs and has time 
to enjoy. But secret societies always impair and often destroy 
the usefulness of the regular literary societies. 

The origin of secret societies in America will indicate 
their nature and purpose. Thomas Jefferson introduced in 
William and Mary College, Virginia, the first secret society, 
called "Phi Beta Kappa." This society was imported from 
skeptical France. And the three Greek letters are indexes of 
three Greek words for "Philosophia biou kubernetes," and 
means philosophy is the guide of life. 



De. Rtjfus C. Burleson. 153 

France was at that time preparing to banish or burn the 
Bible, and wished to introduce into all colleges the infidel 
notion that philosophy and not the Bible was the guide of life. 
The next secret society was introduced in Yale in 1780, and 
the third in Harvard in 1781. The names as well as the 
origin bear the taint of skepticism. The names of many of 
the secret societies indicate their degrading tendency. The 
following are examples, "Skull and Bones Society," "Skull 
and Key Society," "Spade and Grave Society," "Ax and 
Coffin Society," "Owl and Padlock Society," "Skull and Ser- 
pent Society." But it may be said that all these arguments 
are a priori and not conclusive unless sustained by experience 
or a posteriori. We therefore confidently appeal to facts 
and experience as reported by the greatest educators and insti- 
tutions of America and Europe. Before giving the expe- 
rience of great men and institutions I would be glad as a Texan 
to introduce my own humble experience. When I became 
President of Baylor University, forty-seven years ago, it was 
strictly 'universitas in ovo." ~No library, no apparatus, no cur- 
riculum of studies, no college classes, no literary societies. It 
became my duty to map out everything essential for the foun- 
dation of a great university. In performing this arduous duty 
I sought the advice of the greatest educators in America, such 
as Dr. Francis Wayland, Dr. P. E. Pattison, Dr. Howard Mal- 
come, Dr. Basil Manly and others. In this earnest examina- 
tion of everything essential for laying the foundation of Bay- 
lor University on a solid rock, the subject of secret societies 
was discussed. After the most exhaustive examination, I 
decided secret societies were injurious to colleges, and refused 
all the importunities for their organization. But after several 
years, one of the most learned professors was an ardent friend 
of secret societies and plead that all the greatest colleges in 
America and Europe had them. And that Baylor University 
could not take rank unless she followed the example of these 
great institutions. Finally some leading trustees and patrons 
joined in the pleading of the professors and students for secret 
societies. I concluded it better to allow them to make the 
experiment. Two secret societies were immediately organ- 
ized and pressed with great enthusiasm, to the injury of the 



154: The Life and Writings of 

two literary societies that had been doing noble work. Soon 
the bitter fruits I predicted were realized. There were more 
heart-burnings, secret whisperings, and conflicts among our 
students than had ever been known in Baylor University. 

Some of my dear students became greatly ofTened with 
me because it was whispered I was partial to one of these socie- 
ties. When, indeed, I had nothing to do with them, except 
to counsel moderation and good order. 

These bitter strifes came very near breaking up one of 
the best graduating classes we ever had. Fortunately, about 
this time I, with the other teachers and professors, decided to 
move to Waco, and establish Waco University. The three lit- 
erary and three secret societies resolved to go with us. For- 
tunately the managers of the secret societies in New England 
that granted the charters demanded that they be returend to 
Baylor University, at Indepenlence, and they would gladly 
give us charters for societies in our new university at Waco. 

We returned the charters, as requested, but I declined 
ever to inaugurate a secret society in any college where I pre- 
sided. I would not ask you to ask or even to consider my 
experience if I stood alone. I beg you to hear the experience 
and the facts, as reported by the greatest institutions and 
educators in America. 

In 1873, Dr. Hitchcock, President of Amherst College, 
after a long experience in regard to the evils of secret societies, 
sought their removal. In this arduous struggle he addressed 
letters to the presidents of all the colleges in New England, 
to get their opinion in reference to such organizations. All 
responded. The first said : 

"Could these societies be wholly removed from our col- 
leges, I would think it a result in which the friends of learn- 
ing would have great occasion for rejoicing." 

The second said: "As soon as the faculty ascertained 
that secret societies were in existence, they ordered their stu- 
dents to break off connection with them." 

The third said : "We are unanimously and decidedly of 
the opinion that it would be desiarble to have all secret societies 
rooted out of our colleges." 



Dr. Rueus C. Burleson". 155 

A fourth said : "I have made one, nay, more than one, 
ineffectual attempt to rid this college of secret societies." 

A fifth said : "I suppose that it would be desirable that 
secret societies be rooted out of our colleges." 

A sixth said : "I am of the opinion that the tendency of 
such societies is bad of necessity." 

The seventh said : u Their influence was not suspected at 
first, but found to be bad, and nothing but evil results are 
likely to follow." 

Only two new college presidents in New England were 
found to be favorable to secret societies, and while the leading 
presidents of New England colleges were thus expressing 
themselves, Dr. Crosby, Chancelor of the University of New 
York, and Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presby- 
terian Church, in 1873, published an article, assigning various 
conclusive reasons why secret societies should not exist in 
colleges. 

Princeton, in New Jersey, issued an order abolishing 
eleven secret societies from that institution. But not only 
individuals, but great universities have made similar declara- 
tions. In 1874 the Executive Committee of the National 
Christian Association sent requests to 245 American colleges, 
In twenty States, to obtain their positions on secret societies in 
colleges. Reports were received from twenty States, and 
forty-eight colleges. All expressed decided opposition to such 
organizations, except three, a military school in Vermont, one 
in Alabama and one in Mississippi. Time and space allow 
us to give only a few samples of these utterances of great insti- 
tutions. Yale College, New Haven, said "that there are ser- 
that they accomplish some good is equally clear." McKen- 
ious evils connected with secret societies cannot be questioned; 
dree College, Lebanon, Ohio, says: "We consider secret 
societies a damage to the public societies and tending to form 
cliques among students and in no way promoting of scholar- 
ship." Union Christian College, Merom, says: "We are 
the uncompromising foes of secret societies in any form." 
Eminence College, Kentucky : "We tolerate no secret socie- 
ties." Clinton College, Mississippi: "No secret societies 
have ever been organized in this college till last year; we havo 



156 The Life and "Writings of 

taken measures to prevent it making any progress, and it will 
soon die out." Oberlin College : "ISTo secret society has ever 
existed here.' 7 Maryville College, Tennessee : "We believe 
secret societies are fraught with mischief and should be dis- 
couraged in our institutions of learning." Secret societies 
have also been condemned at Harvard, Princeton, Union, Jef- 
ferson and West Point. Prom all these expressions of our 
greatest educators and institutions of learning, we may justly 
conclude that secret societies, though possessing peculiar fasci- 
nation to young minds, will prove injurious to the best inter- 
ests of our colleges. And I trust that all the members of the 
Texas Educational Association will give this question earnest 
attention, and remove everything from our institutions of 
learning that will be injurious to the youth of Texas ; and also 
adopt every means and use every power to cultivate and de- 
velop all that will enoble and develop the sons and daughters 
of our Empire State." 

In the preparation of this work we here depart from our 
plan in following In Dr. Burleson's footsteps as far as possible,, 
in order to make a connected story of the war he inaugurated 
at this early time in his college experience against the practice 
of hazing among students, and anticipate his career in other 
places. 

A great majority of the college presidents in the United 
States were unalterably hostile to the practice, but were pessi- 
mistic as to the success of any plan for its suppression. 

A distinguished journalist had just returned to the iTorth 
from a visit to Texas, in 1872, and found a bad state of affairs- 
existing at Harvard, Yale, Cambridge, Princeton and some 
institutions on account of this outrageous practice. The presi- 
dents of these schools were unreserved in their condemnation 
of the practice, but said it could not be prevented, and quietly 
submitted. This journalist, who was in close touch with these 
officials, replied: 

"This is a mistake. Hazing, and every other form of 
outlawry among students, can be prevented. I have just 
returned from a visit to Texas, and there I found on the bor- 
der of civilization, Dr. R. C. Burleson, at the head of a univer- 
sity of 750 students, among whom, for forty years, there has* 



De. Eufus C. Burleson. 157 

never been but one cas a of hazing. To this be applied beroic 
measures; be outbazed the bazers so badly tbat tbe practice 
ceased at once.' 7 This statement was widely published in the 
Northern press, attracted the attention of those having the 
control of great institutions of learning in hand; as a result 
of which, the Executive Committee of the National Educa- 
tional Association addressed Dr. Burleson a letter inquiring 
if the statement was true. He answered that it was, and was 
invited to deliver an address before tbe association in St. Paul 
in 1873 on this subject. 

Tbe invitation was accepted, and Dr. Burleson was intro- 
duced to 8,000 teachers by the presiding officer of the associa- 
tion as the first college President in America that had suc- 
ceeded in eradicating this relic of barbarism from tbe school 
over which he presided. Prominent educators from Canada 
were present during the sessions of the St. Paul convention, 
and were so much impressed with Dr. Burleson's methods of 
preventing this practice that he was urged to discuss the same 
subject before the Canadian Teachers' Association at Toronto 
in 1875. This invitation was also accepted; the address deliv- 
ered. A chord was struck that vibrated through all educa- 
tional circles in America, and, while it has not resulted in 
removing hazing, and kindred reprehensible practices, from 
the student population of the land entirely, has resulted in a 
perceptible diminution of these so-called sports. 




158 The Life and Writings of 



CHAPTER XX 



Dr. Burleson's Foresight — Predicts Future of Texas ani> 
Baylor University in a Letter to His Brother Rich- 
ard in 1854 — Creation and Criticism — Similarity 
and Dissimilarity Between B. C. and B. B. Burleson 
— : Baptism of General Sam Houston — Baptistry of 
Independence Church — Coffin Shaped — Filled With 
Logs — Place Changed — Description of this Historic 
Spot — Photographed for the First Time, for This 
Volume, by Thomas A. Holland. 



«■' J E" THIS, as well as in all the past ages of the world, 
men have lived who were splendid logicians when 
the affairs that had already transpired were under 



discussion. It is not difficult for a man of average intelli- 
gence to perform something that has been done under his own 
eye. Men marvelled when Columbus announced that he 
could stand an egg on its end; but all could do the same thing 
with as much ease as Columbus after he had shown them how. 

Great battles have been fought in which great mistakes 
were made. Men of a very low order of military genius can 
see the mistakes after the fight is over and lost. The finest 
preachers sit in the pew; provided they are judged by the 
readiness with which they point out the defects in the sermon 
after it has been delivered. 

The best musicians are never in the choir, because the 
least discord could have been prevented, if the leader had con- 
sulted some one in the congregation, after the song had been 
rendered. 



Dr. Rttfus C. Burleson. 159 

Here is a building of magnificent architectural skill, but 
it is faulty. These faults could be detected by people who 
could not "saw a scribe" after the house had been finished. 

Creation and criticism are very different propositions. 
Creation looks forward; criticism looks backward. 

What we have learned by observation and experience, 
and what we know by prescience are vastly different processes 
of acquiring knowledge. 

It is an easier matter, in 1901, to see that Texas is a great 
country, and Baylor University a great institution of learning, 
than to have foreseen these things fifty years ago. 

Dr. Burleson was gifted with foresight, and saw, in 1851, 
what Texas and Baylor University would be to-day, and, for- 
tunately for his forethought, he drew a pen picture of present 
conditions, in a letter to his brother, Richard B. Burleson, 
which is reproduced : 

Independence, Texas, February 6th, 1854. 
Mr. R. B. Burleson, Decatur, Ala.: 

Dear Brother — Early in life, when our hearts were pure, 
and our hopes were bright, we often expressed a desire to each 
other to live, love, labor and die together. This was also the 
ardent wish of our sainted mother. But for many years these 
hopes have been darkened, and I fear these former desires have 
grown cold, but heaven knows not on my part. 

Now I offer a test to see how the case stands with you. 
You are naturally fond of mathematics; that professorship is 
now vacant in Baylor University; the salary after this year 
will be $1,000, one-third to be paid in advance. If you will 
accept the position, it shall be yours at the end of 1854. 

You have so entirely misconceived, and have formed such 
erroneous impressions of the real conditions and future great- 
ness of Texas that you will probably regard this offer as a 
small affair, but if you live ten years, you will see Texas the 
ISTew York of the South, and Baylor University the brightest 
ornament of Texas. 

In one of your former letters you spoke of Texas as a 
wild, savage country. My dear brother, there are more 
learned men, classic scholars, regular graduates in Union Bap- 



160 The Life aisd "Whitings of 

tist Association, than you are aware of. Bro. Huckins is a 
graduate of Brown University. Brethren Baines, Maxey and 
Cleveland of Alabama University. Bro. Creath of Richmond 
College. Prof. Stiteler is a graduate of both Pennsylvania 
University and Hamilton Theological Seminary. Bro. 
Graves, the first President of Baylor University, a graduate 
of the University of North Carolina and also of Hamilton 
Theological Seminary. 

Brethren Baxter, Baylor and Chilton are not graduates, 
but are men of extensive information, and the two last named 
were distinguished Congressmen. Bro. Baylor is now a great 
Judge, as well as Baptist preacher. 

Our laity are proportionately intelligent. 

You may ask how is it that I hold such a prominent posi- 
tion among such men ? Well, I assure you it is not from supe- 
riority, but from my sleepless vigilance and untiring energy. 
I have traversed the whole State, and know every prominent 
person in our church. 

I also see the wonderful possibilities of the country. 

********* 

The prospect of our institution is fine. We will have not 
far from 250 students in both departments this year, among 
whom will be seven or eight young ministers. * * * * 
Please write me immediately. 

Your affectionate brother, 

RUFUS C. BURLESON. 

These brothers were near the same age, born in the same 
place, and were so intimately associated in childhood, boy- 
hood and manhood that something more than a passing notice 
of Dr. Richard B. Burleson is deserved. 

He was born near Decatur, Alabama, January 1st, 1822. 
His boyhood was spent amid the active duties of his father's 
plantation. He received his academic preparation from his 
moth'er, and at the country schools conducted in the commu- 
nity. The natural bent of his mind was toward a military 
life, and his early preparation was made with this end in view. 
He received from the Representative in Congress from the 
district in which he lived in North Alabama, the appointment 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 



161 



to a cadet-ship in "West Point Military Academy. Capt. Jona- 
than Burleson, his father, however, induced him to decline the 
appointment, in favor of the son of a widowed neighbor. The 
young man in whose favor he withdrew was General James 
G-. Longstreet, one of the most renowned commanders in the 
Confederate army in the war between the States. 

Richard entered Somerville Academy, where he pursued 
a course of instruction for one year. In 1840 he entered 
Nashville University, at Nashville, Tennessee, completed the 
course in three years, and graduated with honor. 

In 1839 he was converted, and received the ordinance of 




RICHARD B. BURLESON. 

baptism at the hands of Rev. W. H. Holcombe. In 1841, 
while a student in Nashville, he was licensed to preach by the 
First Baptist Church, of which Dr. R. B. C. Howell was pas- 
tor. In 1842 his ordination was called for by the church at 
Athens, Alabama. He accepted the pastorate, and served the 
church with marked satisfaction for two years. 

He was called to the care of the church at Tuscumbia in 
1845, where he remained until 1849, when he was elected by 
the Trustees, President of Moult on Female Institute, which 
position he filled for six years. This institute was raised to a 
high standard under Prof. Burleson's wise management. 



162 The Life akd Writings of 

He was called to the pastorate of the Baptist Church in 
Austin, Texas, in 1855, and conducted a female school in that 
city in 1856, while filling the pastorate. In December, 1856, 
he was chosen by the Trustees of Baylor University, at Inde- 
pendence, on the recommendation of his brother, Professor 
of Moral and Mental Philosophy and Belles-Lettres. This 
professorship he held until 1861, when he was elected Vice- 
President of Waco University and Professor of Natural 
Science. 

In 1875 he was appointed to a position on the Geological 
Surveying Corps by Gov. Kichard Coke, but resigned at the 
expiration of the first year of service, and returned to his 
former position in the faculty of Waco University. He died 
December 21st, 1879. 

An unqualified endorsement is placed on the following 
estimate of his character, taken from a "Brief History of the 
Burleson Family." 

As a teacher, thousands can testify that his zeal, ability, 
punctuality and conscientiousness were never surpassed. 
Neither private interest, nor rain, nor heat, nor bodily pain 
ever detained him from the post of duty for twenty-three 
years. The great success of Baylor and Waco Univer- 
sities is due in eminent degree to his management of their 
internal affairs, while his brother, Dr. Rufus C. Burleson, 
watched after the financial and general interests abroad. 
Teaching and his classes had become a part of his being. 
Nothing was more affecting during his long and painful suffer- 
ing, especially in a feverish, dreaming state, than to call a 
class roll of fifteen or twenty, and go through whole lessons 
in his favorite sciences, geology, botany and astronomy, often 
mingling with the exercises his tender admonitions to the 
tardy, and his commendations to the diligent. Who can tell 
the power of a life so conscientious and devoted ? It is need- 
less to state, in regard to one so widely known, that Prof. 
Burleson was no ordinary man, this having been abundantly 
evinced in a public career of nearly forty years. To talents of 
a high order were added wealth and family influence. A bril- 
liant future, so tempting to youthful ambition, was opened 
to him. But to be useful to, not to gain the applause of, his 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 168 

fellowman; to serve truly his day and generation, inspired his 
ambition and determined his life-work. Convinced before he 
had reached his majority, when, as yet, most young men of 
his talents are dazzled by visions of pleasure or prospects of 
ambition, that his noble and unselfish purpose would be most 
successfully achieved by devoting himself to the ministry and 
the instruction of the young, his resolution was formed. It 
was no idle resolve. It was a life purpose. Every other con- 
sideration was made subordinate. It absorbed all the energies 
of his being; was pursued with an ardor that suffered no remis- 
sion, and which only the cold breath of death could chill. Of 
his character as a preacher, it may be stated that no one could 
listen with the least attention to his preaching without taking 
away with him the conviction that he was eminently thought- 
ful, intellectual, profoundly learned in his profession, 
intensely in earnest; that his pulpit instructions were not 
merely perfunctory, to gain applause or benefit himself, but 
free from every taint of modern skepticism, so common with 
the most intellectual class, even in the pulpit; that his teach- 
ings were the outgrowth of convictions that controlled his will 
and governed his own life. 

As an orator, his style was gentle and persuasive, logical 
rather than impassioned, his manner graceful and impressive. 
These qualities, energized by great earnestness and zeal, light- 
ing up and adorning his manly features, and teeming from 
his fine, penetrating eye, though they might not always con- 
vince, never failed to fix the attention and win the admiration 
of his hearers. But, as an educator, he was pre-eminent. 
His methods were absolutely his own — original — as original 
as the epic of Homer, the orations of Demosthenes, or the 
allegory of Bunyan. Intellectually, it were not difficult, per- 
haps, to find his equal; but morally, his peers among living 
teachers are probably few. 

Perhaps the most characteristic peculiarity about him, as 
a teacher, was his rare power of analysis, enabling him to fix 
the attention of the learner successfully upon each phase or 
part of his subject, until he had mastered the whole. To this 
quality he added in a most eminent degree, a modest, concen- 
trated earnestness, begetting a gentleness of manner that 



164 The Life and Writings of 

endeared him to his pupils. His teaching, free from every 
appearance of levity and trifling in matter and manner, im- 
pressed the hearer with a deep sense of the value and impor- 
tance of his instructions. Gentle, earnest, dignified, and in 
]ove with his work, he never failed to win the affections of his 
pupils, and to inspire them with his own love and thirst for 
knowledge. 

His intercourse with his fellowmen was charactrized by 
frankness and candor. His diffidence amounted, sometimes, 
to what seemed to be lack of self-assertion. He died as he 
had lived, his last days being characteristic of his long life of 
usefulness. 

At the meeting of the Board of Trustees of Waco Uni- 
versity, held in 1875, the degree of LL. D. was conferred on 
Professor Burleson. In conferring the degree the Trustees 
stated, "as a scholar and educator Dr. Richard B. Burleson 
was in every way worthy of this eminence and distinguished 
honor." 

The similarity in the career of these two brothers is most 
striking, and their course in life so much alike that it makes 
scarcely more than one foot-print. 

They were born in the same place, with only eighteen 
months difference in their ages. Both received primary 
instruction at home. Both attended Somerville Academy 
and Nashville University. They were converted about the 
same time, baptized by the same minister, and united with the 
same church. Both were licensed to preach by the same 
church in Nashville, under the pastorate of the same man. 
Both filled pastorates and taught early in life. Both came 
west, were connected with the same school, one as President, 
the other as Vice-President. Both died in the same city, and 
sleep in the same cemetery. Added to all this, there was a 
most marked and striking personal resemblance between them; 
so much so, that one was frequently mistaken for the other. 

Notwithstanding all this, and all these points of resem- 
blance, in temperament, disposition and character, they were 
as unlike and dissimilar as any two men who ever lived. One 
was an optimist, the other a pessimist. One was hopeful, the 
other despondent. One was fired to redouble his efforts in the 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 165 

face of opposition, the other quailed before it. One scaled 
mountains, the other traversed valleys. An incident in their 
lives, when mere boys, illustrates this difference in their 
character. 

During one of their rambles in the forest, near the 
Burleson home on Flint river, these boys became bewildered. 
They tramped through the forest for hours, and the more they 
traveled the more completely they lost their bearing. Around 
and around in a circle they walked, over hill, through swamp, 
thicket and jungle. Both became tired, footsore and hungry. 
No familiar spot was found, and nothing noticed by which 
they could take correct reckoning and strike a course for 
home. 

Finally, discouraged, disheartened and despairing, Rich- 
ard said : "Rufus, we are lost, hopelessly lost, in this forest. 
I can go no farther. Let us lie down beside this tree and die, 
and thus end our suffering and misery." This proposition 
startled Rufus, who felt the situation to be desperate, but with 
that resolution that characterized every relation in life, he 
answered : 

"Why, Richard, no; let us press on, and we will reach oui' 
home in safety." 

These boys did press on, and early the following morning 
a friend was met on one of the thoroughfares in the county, 
who picked up these bewildered and tired boys and carried 
them to their homes, ten miles down Flint river. So it was 
all through life. Richard said, "we can't;" Rufus said, "we 
can and will." 

Notwithstanding these points of resemblance and dis- 
similar elements, as contradictory as it may seem, and para- 
doxical as it may appear, both succeeded in everything 
undertaken and in every affair of life. 

It was November 19th of this year (1854), while filling 
the pastorate of the Independence Church, in connection with 
his duties as President of the University, that Dr. Burleson 
administered * the ordinance of baptism to General Sam 
Houston. This became a historic event, and was ever afterward 
one of Dr. Burleson's most pleasant memories. While serving 
as pastor of this church, Dr. Burleson had a baptistry made in 



166 The Life and "Writings of 

the bed of Kountz Creek, north of town, in the shape of a 
coffin. 

Since baptism, the word of God taught, was designed to 
typify, in part, a regenerated soul buried to sin, he contended 
that this style of baptistry was a beautiful observance of the 
eternal fitness of things that ministers of the gospel should not 
fail to note. In this place he baptized a large number of the 
students of Baylor University during his pastorate, hundreds 
of whom will feast their eyes on the picture presented in this 
volume, and will recall many occasions of spiritual rejoicing 
experienced around this place of hallowed recollections. 




POOL Yv T HERE DE. BURLESON ADMINISTERED THE ORDINANCE OF BAP- 
TISM TO GENERAL SAM HOUSTON. 

When it was announced that General Houston was to 
receive the ordinace at this place, some mischievous boys went 
the night before and filled the baptistry with mud and tree 
tops. The sexton went down in the morning to see that the 
pool was in order, came back very much distressed, and 
reported to Dr. Burleson that the baptistry was full of mud, 
and that it could not be removed in time for him to use it that 
evening. "Very well," he calmly replied, "I will outgeneral 
these mischievous boys from the country, and baptize the 
General in Little Rocky." The change was announced at the 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 167 

service • that morning, and a great concourse of people was 
present. 

It was no ordinary occasion. No man in the United 
States, North or South, was more in the public eye than Gen- 
eral Houston. He was severely wounded in the battle of 
Horseshoe Bend, and distinguished himself for valor in the 
war of 1812. He served one term in Congress from Ten- 
nessee in 1823, and was elected Governor of the State in 1827. 
He was a member of the convention that promulgated the 
Declaration of Texas Independence, March 2d, 1836, and 
moved the adoption of the report of the committee appointed 
to prepare it. He took his rifle in one hand, a pen in the other, 
and affixed his name to that document. He was elected Com- 
mander-in-Chief of the Texas army, and was the hero of the 
battle of San Jacinto. He was twice President of the Repub- 
lic, after the liberty of the people had been achieved, and 
twice Governor after the State was admitted into the Union, 
and served also three terms as Representative of the people in 
the United States Senate. We repeat, this was no ordinary 
occasion, and Dr. Burleson's experience, one of the rarest in 
the history of any minister. 

It is not extravagant to say, for simple beauty, a more 
lovely place could hot be found in all Texas in which to admin- 
ister the ordinance of baptism to this old hero, patriot, states- 
man and humble Christian. 

It has undergone no changes in all these years, except a 
large cedar tree that stood near has been felled and removed. 
The limpid waters of Little Rocky come purling over beds of 
clean gravel, white flat rock, through masses of luxuriant 
lillies and cress, and pour over a rocky precipice five feet high 
and form a segment-shaped pool of foaming water twenty feet 
in diameter. At the south end of this beautiful pool there is 
a bank of rich earth, sodded with bermuda grass and studded 
with wild flowers. This bank bisects the current, and the 
water flows out in two streams, making an island of it, and 
forming a long lake 100 feet below. The finest old live oaks 
in all the wide world stand at intervals on the bank, sheltering 
full-uddered kine, which, with the sparkling water, rocky 



168 



The Life and Writings of 



ledges, green sward and masses of lillies, make this historic 
spot a landscape of indescribable beauty. 

The picture presented of this place, as well as the tomb 
of Judge K. E. B. Baylor, and the baptistry of the Indepen- 
dence Church, were specially made for this publication by 
Mr. Thomas A. Holland, an accomplished artist of Brenham, 
and these photographs are the first ever made of these historic 
spots. J. T. Hairston and Harry Haynes, the two gentlemen 
seen in the picture of the place where General Houston was 
baptized, were present as boys, and both eye-witnesses to 
the baptismal scene, over forty-seven years ago. 




BAPTISTRY OF THE INDEPENDENCE CHURCH. 

Here Dr. Burleson Immebsed a Large Number of Students and Other 

Candidates. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 169 



CHAPTER XXI 



Baylor University From 1855 to 1860 — Brilliant Fac- 
ulty — Impressions Made on the Character of the 
Students — A Personal Testimony — Independence a 
Small Village — Boarding- Facilities Inadequate — 
Discontent Among Students — President Burleson 
Erects a Three-story House, Two-story Annex — 
Assumes a Heavy Financial Obligation — Disastrous 
Drought in 1857 — Affects Attendance — Recupera- 
tive Powers of Texas — Storm of September 8th, 
1900. 

^ I TIRING the sessions of Baylor University from 1855 
fcj|||H to I860, Dr. Burleson's duties as President were 
ftg^pg^ j strenuous and his resourceful character taxed to its 
last limit. 

The faculty was composed of the following professors : 

Rev. Rufus C. Burleson, A. M., President, and Professor 
of Moral Philosophy, Belles Lettres and Spanish. 

Rev. Richard B. Burleson, A. M., Vice-President, Profes- 
sor of Natural Science and Political Economy. 

David R. Wallace, A. M., M. D., Professor of Latin, 
Greek and French Languages. . , . , ,..,,. 

Oscar H. Leland, A. B., Professor of Mathematics, 
Mechanical Philosophy and Astronomy. 

Louis Franke, A. M., Professor of the German Language 
and Literature. 

Professor James L. Smith, Principal of the Preparatory 
Department. 

Professor William H. Long, Tutor. 



170 The Life and Writings of 

Kev. Frank Kief er, Professor J. W. Willrick and Charles 
T. Kavanaugh and S. Gr. O'Brien were also teachers during 
the time. 

This statement is intended to be by no means invidious, 
but a more brilliant corps of teachers and accomplished schol- 
ars, were never marshaled in any institution in Texas for the 
instruction of the young. 

All had won college degrees in the best schools in the 




Dr. R. C. Burleson. Prof. R. B. Burleson. Prof. D. R. Wallace. 

Prof. O. H. Leland. Prof. J. L. Smith. Prof. G. W. Willrick. 

DR. BURLESON'S FIRST FACULTY AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY. 

country, except those in charge of the Preparatory Depart- 
ment, and carried with them into their recitation rooms a 
degree of earnestness and enthusiasm rarely equalled. More 
can be said of these teachers; they impressed the dignity of 
their characters upon the pupils, and aroused a spirit of 
studiousness and ambition that led them to aspire to higher 
planes, and to attain to the greatest excellence in every avoca- 
tion and profession in life, of which they were capable. 



Dr. Rtjfus C. Burleson. 171 

This author wishes here to add a parenthetical sentence, 
and tender his thanks, and express his undying appreciation 
for the influence made upon his boyish character and life by 
the lofty example of these teachers. It was felt at the time, 
and abides more brightly in the meridian of life. 

The members of this faculty not only formed a splendid 
teaching force, but they were also disciplinarians, and rendered 
the President valuable service in the enforcement of law and 
the government of the university and reduced lawlessness 
and disorder in the student body to a minimum. 

To be sure, there were cases requiring discipline, but the 
offenses were of a harmless nature, and for the amusement of 
the students, and intended as no kind of indignity to the 
President of any member of the faculty. 

Independence at that time was one of the most delightful 
towns in the State. Many of the wealthy families of Texas 
had moved to the place and settled, on account of the relig- 
ious, educational and social advantages offered. The town, 
however, was small, the number of boarding students very 
large, and lodging and table accommodations entirely inade- 
quate. Not only was President Burleson confronted with 
this difficulty, but the University building was more crowded 
than the boarding houses. On account of these desiderata 
there was much discontent among the students. Many had 
intimated that, unless more comfortable boarding places could 
be secured and more commodious and suitable recitation 
rooms provided, they would be compelled to return to their 
homes, and arrange to attend some other institution. 

This was a crisis in the history of Baylor University. 
President Burleson realized that the grievance of the students 
was just, their demands reasonable, and that something must 
be done to relieve the tension of the situation. He laid the 
matter before the Trustees, who were convinced of the neces- 
sity for more room, and took immediate steps to provide it. 
They erected a two-story stone building, 40x80 feet, which, 
with the two-story building erected in 1849, was ample for 
present demands in this direction. 

The situation, however, was only partially relieved. The 
students must not only have rooms in which to recite, but they 



172 The Life and Writings of 

must have somewhere to live. Both President Burleson and 
the Trustees made many unsuccessful endeavors to induce 
some capitalist to erect a large boarding house, to meet the 
other necessitous features of the situation. 

Failing in this, Mr. Burleson resolved to do so himself. 
To raise the money to enable him to execute his purpose, he 
mortgaged land inherited from his father's estate, and built a 
three-story house, octagon-shaped, with three- story galleries 
running entirely around it. This building contained twenty- 
five large rooms, each capable of accommodating four young 
men. In the center of the octagon, a large, stone stack chim- 
ney was built, giving a fireplace to each room. 

These, with the six rooms in his residence, gave him 
thirty-one rooms. He could thus accommodate nearly one 
hundred boarders, which, with those scattered around town, 
made it easy for all the students who came from a distance to 
find comfortable quarters. The President then announced, 
in a spirit of triumph, that Baylor University not only boasted 
of having the finest faculty of any institution west of the 
Mississippi River, but commodious school buildings, a good 
library, philosophical apparatus, and ample boarding accom- 
modations, and unsurpassed facilities of every kind. 

All this had its effect, and students came thronging to 
Independence from almost every settled county in Texas, and 
from Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, and one from 
Boston. 

Three other buildings, 16x32 feet, for study and recita- 
tion rooms, were also built. Mr. Burleson's expenditure, in 
making all these needed improvements was about $16,000, and 
absorbed his entire patrimony. In thus tiding the institution 
through a crisis, the result added gloriously to the cause of 
education in Texas, but entailed a heavy financial burden on 
him, from which he never fully recovered. In addition to the 
ordinary, or, rather, it should be said, extraordinary, demands 
made on the financial resources of one occupying the foremost 
position among the Baptists of Texas, he had from that day 
on, for many years, a heavy interest account to meet annually. 

But for the great wisdom displayed by President Burle- 
son, in providing for the necessities of the institution, and the 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 173 

financial sacrifice made to do so, Baylor University might have 
had a gravestone to mark its last resting place, instead of an 
ascending star. 

This tremendous sacrifice was not appreciated then, and 
it is feared has not been appreciated since. Since some of 
those for whom it was made, and who were its greatest bene- 
ficiaries, were among the first to denounce him as "a miserable 
financial failure," and persecute and pursue him, in his embar- 
rassed and crippled financial condition. 

Men who had made comfortable fortunes out of his heroic 
self-abnegation, and gave their children the opportunities for 
a finished education by the facilities he provided, and who 
should have been on their knees at his feet offering him thanks 
as their benefactor and deliverer, instituted suits against him 
on open accounts for insignificant sums. 

During the year of 1857 the prosperous condition of the 
school was somewhat interfered with and attendance reduced 
from the effects of a drought unprecedented in the history of 
the State. Very little rain fell from January to December. 
No part of Texas was exempt from the disaster. Both the 
corn and cotton crops were complete failures; and as cotton 
was the chief reliance of the people for money, some of the 
students were withdrawn from school by their parents, and 
others, who had contemplated sending their children were 
unable to do so. 

All the water courses dried up, springs stopped flowing, 
and water for man and beast became very scarce. Grass was 
burned to a crisp, and stock suffered and died in large numbers 
as a result. The earth became so dry that it cracked and 
gapped to such an extent that travel was unsafe. All the corn 
consumed by the people for bread and other purposes was 
imported at a tremendous cost, and in many communities sold 
at two and three dollars per bushel. The meager resources of 
the people being thus exhausted in providing the absolute 
necessities of life, tuition fees could not be collected, and the 
President and f actulty were all seriously embarrassed. 

An end to this disaster, however, was not long deferred. 
Copious rains came in time for the planting season of 1858. 
This revived the drooping spirits of the people, and enabled 



174 The Life and Writings of 

Copious rains came in time for the planting season of 1858. 

JSTo country on the continent possesses greater recupera- 
tive powers than Texas. Disasters of every name and nature 
may roll over it, paralyzing every business and industry ; condi- 
tions may be untoward to-day, but to-morrow the business 
horizon will brighten, and all with the people and country is 
well. 

The story of the memorable storm that devastated the 
Gulf coast on the 8th of September, 1900, furnishes the most 
recent instance of the recuperative character of the country. 
Desolation and ruin was left in its wake, evidences of which 
would now be hard to find. The beautiful city of Galveston 
was torn, and left in piles of unsightly debris. One year after- 
ward the restoration and rehabilitation was almost complete, 
and the city, in many respects, far exceeded its f ormer beauty 
and magnificence. 

Baylor University not only recovered from the disasters 
of this fearful misfortune, but President Burleson and the 
Trustees went on from victory to victory, planning for 
improvements and enlarging their scope of operations. 




Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 175 



CHAPTER XXII 



Facilities of the University Enlarged — Departments of 
Law and Theology Established — Address of Judge 
James Jeffries — Faculty of the Law School — Rem- 
iniscences — Theological Department — Assumed No 
Great Proportions on Account of the War Between 
the States. 



D 



EPARTMENTS in Law and Theology were estab- 
lished during these years, and conducted with much 
satisfaction and success, especially the Department of 
Law. The Law Faculty was composed of Hon. R. E. B. Bay- 
lor, LL. D.; Hon. R. T. Wheeler, LL. D.; General John Sayles 
and Colonel William P. Rogers. Of the qualifications of 
these professors, it is enough to say that Judges Baylor and 
Wheeler had been members of the Supreme Court of Alabama 
and Texas, General Sayles an author of high standing, and 
Colonel Rogers one of the most eminent members of the 
Texas bar. 

This department enrolled thirty-three students in 1858, 
and issued diplomas to a graduating class of thirteen that year. 
This class was composed of the following young attorneys : 

John Alexander, Charles R. Breedlove, Thomas J. 
Brown, W. F. Ewing, Thomas J. Goree, B. C. Hardin, 
Thomas B. Haynes James Jeffries, John W. Metcalf, A. E. 
Morriss, William H. Parks, John G. Walker, Leonard W. 
Waller. 

The President advocated the establishment of the Law 
Department before the Board of Trustees, and hence, while 
reserving no authority as to the course of instruction pre- 



17(3 The Life and Writings of 

scribed, or teaching himself, was careful to specify that the 
department would be subject to the same government as the 
Literary Department of the University. 

~No law student was, therefore, allowed to use, as a bever- 
age, any distilled or intoxicating liquor, or to visit any places 
where they were retailed, or to engage in hazing or nocturnal 
disorders, or to visit taverns, stores or other public places in 
town, except on suitable occasions. 

ISTo law student was permitted to carry or keep in his 
room any pistol or other dangerous weapon. All card playing 
whatever was forbidden, as well as any games of hazard. 

Any law student, it was ordained, who shall violate any 
of the college laws or regulations, or be otherwise guilty of 
ungentlemanly conduct, to be judged of by the Faculty, will 
be liable to be dismissed, it being deemed unfit that any one 
should be admitted to the society and companionship of stu- 
dents, whose conduct is not exemplary, or be educated for the 
practice of an honorable profession who does not maintain the 
character of a gentleman. 

Course of Instruction. 

The course of instruction in the Law Department of 
Baylor University was designed to give a practical legal 
education. 

Instruction was given by means of lectures, text-books, 
examinations and Moot Courts. 

The lectures were designed to give a knowledge of the 
present state of the laws; particularly of whatever is peculiar 
to the local jurisprudence of Texas. 

Designated portions bf )the (text-books were assigned 
daily, upon which the students were examined. The subl 
jects of study were so ordered as to give an acquaintance with 
every branch of legal science. 

Moot courts were conducted under the immediate super- 
intendence of the Professors. Cases were stated and assigned 
by them, and the students devised cases and remedies, and 
instituted and conducted suits through their several stages, 
from the commencement in the District to a final hearing and 
decision in the Supreme Court. Juries were impaneled, wit- 



Dr. Eufus C. Burleson. 177 

nesses examined, questions of practice, pleading and evidence 
argued and decided in the District Courts. Cases removed 
by appeal or writ of error to the Supreme Court, and argued 
orally and by brief, in the same manner as in the courts of the 
State. 

Written opinions were delivered by the students upon 
cases sj;ated, and dissertations read by them upon designated 
subjects. 

The students were classified as juniors and seniors. Those 
who had attended one session and read during the interval, 
or who had read the text-books required in the course, and 
who on examination by the professors were found sufficiently 
advanced, constituted the Senior Class. 

The degree of Bachelor of Laws was conferred only upon 
the unanimous recommendation of the professors of this 
department, and on those students only who had attended two 
entire sessions and studied diligently during the interval, or 
one session after having read the text books required in the 
course, or an equivalent, and who were habitually studious, 
moral and exemplary, and who on examination were found 
worthy of the honor. 

Both classes attended all the exercises in common. 

~No previous professional reading or proficiency was 
required for admission. 

Students were to provide themselves with the following 

Text-Books. 

Junior Class — Blackstone's Commentaries (designated 
portions only to be used), Kent's Commentaries, Stephen on 
Pleading, Greenleaf on Evidence, vol. 1, Texas Practice. 

Senior Cla^s — Kent's Commentaries, Stephen on Plead- 
ing, Greenleaf on Evidence, Parsons on Contracts, Story's 
Equity Jurisprudence, Texas Practice, Texas Pleading, Texas 
Codes, Hartley's Digest- 
Seniors intending to commence the practice of the law 
were recommended to procure, for reference and study, the 
following books in addition to those required in the course: 
Story on Promissory Notes, Byles on Bills and Notes, Parson's 
Mercantile Law, Story on Partnership, Story on Agency, 



178 The Life and Writings of 

Edwards (or Story) on Bailments, Grant of Corporations, 
Story on the Conflict of Laws, Pathier on Obligations, 
White's Eecapitulation, Jarman on Wills, Williams on Execu- 
tors, Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Wharton's American Crimi- 
nal Law. 

This Department of Baylor University, succeeded beyond 
the most sanguine expectations of its projectors, and warmest 
friends. Unfortunately most of the graduates enlisted in the 
armies of the South, in the war between the states, and either 
died in camp of disease, or were killed in battle before they 
had become established in the practice. But it can be said of 
them, that a more thoroughly grounded, better prepared, and 
promising class of young lawyers, were never certified to prac- 
tice from any law school in the union. Those who escaped 
unscathed the horrors of war, have since filled the highest 
positions on the bench, and at the bar of Texas, and other 
states. 

Mr. James Jeffries, an alumnus of this department was 
invited by Dr. Burleson, to deliver an address before the 
students and friends of the University in 1895, and his ad- 
dress is so full of valuable historical facts, and interesting 
reminiscences of the School of Law connected with Baylor, 
that copious extracts from it are used in this connection : 

"At Independence I met Dr. Burleson for the first time. 
The Doctor has always lived in my memory as one of the 
most polished of men and eloquent speakers. I was always 
glad when circumstances brought me into his presence, and I 
attended church whenever he preached. 

I was a young man and the bright eyed beauties from the 
female college on the hill may have been an additional attrac- 
tion, but the sermons were enjoyed, some of the sentiments 
live with me still and -have done me good. Dr. Burleson has 
been spared to a ripe age, and who can estimate the effect here 
and hereafter of the seed which he has been permitted to sow. 
May his presence and influence continue to give strength and 
power to the school he so much loves, for many years to come. 

The law class was small and we were soon all acquainted 
and got down to hard work. 

I could say a great deal about that class; I formed there 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 179 

some of the warmest attachments of my life. There were no 
disagreeable men among them, and not one who could not 
have made his mark as a lawyer, but alas ! 'the number was the 
unlucky number of thirteen and many of them are dead; 
among the living Dr. Parks went into a higher profession, 
the Ministry, and no doubt realizes the wisdom of answering 
such a call in the satisfaction of a higher and wider influence 
for good. Goree became one of the most noted Prison Super- 
intendents of the United States, and is now one of your most 
admirable and respected citizens ; Brown, our close and logical 
student, who went into the interior of every subject, after ac- 
quiring reputation and fame at the bar, has reached the goal 
of the aspiring lawyer, a place of hard work on the Supreme 
Bench; Breedlove, our persuasive advocate, continues to make 
people and juries believe he is right. I have felt how hard 
it was to resist his eloquence when he was certainly wrong. 
Alexander is still at the bar, hard working and conscientious 
as ever, and for a number of years, district attorney and county 
judge of Burleson county. 

If others are living they have been lost to me in the march 
of the years. 

I didn't of course, know much about Law Schools in those 
days, but in the light of a large experience since, I know now 
that that school afforded as fine opportunities for acquiring a 
knowledge of the law as any school established since or before. 

Our professors believed in the practical application of the 
principles they taught us, and we soon had organized moot 
courts, where cases were tried, with our grave and able pro- 
fessors as judges, taking cases from our District Court through 
all the stages to final determination in the Supreme Court. 

There was a good deal of floundering, of course, in the 
beginning, but it was not long before we were fighting mimic 
battles with as much seriousness and interest as we have ever 
fought the real battles of life, and before we had graduated 
we were reasonably prepared for our supposed life work. 

I doubt if Mr. Justice Brown or Brother Breedlove ever 
made better arguments than some of those made in our mimic 
courts. 

In looking over some old papers not long since, a mis- 
cellaneous collection of letters, some of them reminders of the 



180 The Life and Writings of 

follies which go along with the wisdom of youth and keep up 
the balance so that we may not appraise ourselves too exorbit- 
antly high bills and other matter interesting at one time, I 
found several cases presented by Judge Wheeler for written 
opinions, and was really astonished at the impudence and legal 
acumen exhibited by myself at that early day. Unfortu- 
nately many of us start out at a pace which astonishes our 
friends, both at start and finish. 

It is astonishing how precocious some youths are, and how 
the years deaden and bring things down to the true level. 
Ah, the dreams of youth, success, fame, "a dear girl's love," 
fortune, but in that dream the courage, will power, and 
patient toil, needed for success, does not play an important 
part and even all these virtues do not always insure the ful- 
fillment of our dreams. 

Is there a mysterious something which men of the world 
call "luck?" and Christians give another name, who can tell? 
but there is no royal road to success, and plodding toil is the 
only way we know, and that, most of us do not relish, mental 
labor is the hardest of all labor, the most exhaustive and the 
mind is restive of discipline. 

Our professors were all men of mark and high standing. 

They not only taught us well, but in their own lives set 
before us the highest standards of life. 

First on our list of professors was 

Judge Baylor. 

To have known him was never to forget him. He was 
unique, with the courtliness and instincts of the cavalier, he 
combined bon homme, which made him the idol of the com- 
mon people. 

He was full of quaint and humorous sayings, and his 
chuckle was most infectious. He did not lecture often, but 
his occasional visits brought with them the sunlight. He was 
fond of quizzing, and I well remember the joy I felt upon one 
occasion when in his quaint and peculiar way he asked Mr. 
Jeffries, "what kind of a writ is a writ of sciery fiery enquiry." 
He had no idea that I had ever heard of this old English writ, 
but by the rarest chance I had been attracted by the name a 



Dr. Ruftts C. Burleson. 181 

few clays before and made the old gentleman open his eyes 
by a full and correct account of it. 

One of the greatest treats of my life when a boy, was to 
sit open-mouthed and hear him read his charge to the grand 
jury, at the semi-annual courts held in the town where I then 
lived. 

They were treatises upon both the criminal and the moral 
law. 

In connection with the sale of whiskey without a license 
with what emphasis he would say, "Grentlement of the grand 
jury, I would not stand behind a bar and deal out death and 
damnation by the half pint for a pile of guineas as high as the 
seven stars." 

The judge was a good man, and an incorruptible judge, 
exercising a powerful influence for good in a new country. 

He was a Christian who often went into the pulpit to 
testify for his religion. He has gone to his reward. 

Rogers. 

Col. ¥m. P. Rogers was our eminent professor of Crim- 
inal Law. His name is now the heritage of Texas. Like 
the heroic Garnett who upon one of the most fateful fields 
in history, fell in front of the foremost rank, marking the 
high tide of the Confederacy, Rogers upon another fateful 
field fell at the front covered with glory. The white wings 
of peace have rested upon our united and beloved country for 
more than a quarter of a century, the acrimony which engen- 
dered and survived our civil war is now happily a memory, and 
unpatriotic would be the voice, that would make it more, but 
I hope the day will never come in Texas, when her youth will 
cease to revere and honor the patriots who inspired by high 
devotion to duty, counted their lives as nought, cheerfully 
suffered privations and performed deeds of heroic valor, which 
entitles them to affectionate remembrance so long as heroism 
lives upon the earth. I hear that an effort is being made to 
place a monument over the remains of this gallant soldier, 
and hope that Texas will honor herself by carrying it to com- 
pletion. This dead lawyer and soldier, having played well 
his part in life and being enshrined in the hearts of his sur- 



182 The Life and Writings of 

vivors, who honor him in his life, and in his death, needs 
nothing from us, but as the tender memorials of the Saints 
touch the heart of the world and point the way to Heaven, 
so the monument to the heroic dead, keeps alive the spirit of 
the hero, a spirit which ought never to die, and fires the heart 
of the young patriot for deeds of heroic virtue. 

We honor ourselves and discharge a duty to posterity 
when we erect our Pantheons. We are all touched by them, 
I never look upon the figure of the brave and gentle Lee in 
New Orleans, standing in majesty, breasting the storm, as his 
noble soul breasted the storms of fate, far above the roar and 
rattle of commerce, and the every day affairs of life, without 
a thrill of emotion, which represents the better part of my 
nature. Let us honor our heroic dead. 

Sayles. 

John Sayles, the law writer of Texas, taught us the prin- 
ciples of practice. He was a painstaking and thorough in- 
structor. Mr. Sayles led, to my mind an ideal life at the time; 
he easily held the position of the best practitioner in that part 
of the state, and while he was not a man of the people, his 
commanding ability gave him an immense and lucrative prac- 
tice; he resided at his handsome country seat and with a gen- 
eral library, the most complete which I had then ever seen, 
he devoted his time to study, legal and literary, only absent- 
ing himself when in attendance upon the courts. 

Mr. Sayles was not only a great lawyer, but a man of 
literary acquirements and of high character, and was most 
helpful to the young men with whom he came in contact; 
he was most kind to me, inspiring a taste for the better liter- 
ature, as well as for the law, and I have never ceased to re- 
member him with affectionate regard. He is one of the law- 
yers of Texas who will" leave an indelible impress upon, and 
will live forever in her jurisprudence. 

Wheeler. . 

The professors named came to us weekly, but the teacher 
upon whom the burden and work fell, was Royall T. Wheeler, 
then and for many years before and after a judge, and chief 



Dr. Rttfus C. Burleson. 183 

justice of the supreme court. Judge Wheeler was a mosi 
conscientious and competent instructor, and had the happy 
faculty of clear presentation as a lecturer, his examinations 
were thorough and he came nearer to Theodore W. Dwight, 
the ideal law professor, than any other I ever knew. 

Texas was peculiarly fortunate in having so many men 
of genius and character, as citizens and leaders of the days of 
her infancy. Hemphill, Lipscomb and Wheeler, her first 
supreme judges were eminently fitted for the great work they 
performed in building up her superior and equitable system 
of jurisprudence. 

Houston, Rusk, Roberts, Henderson and other famous 
men, also shed light and lustre upon the early history of 
Texas. 

It would be impossible to estimate the value of the influ- 
ence of Wheeler, a young Vermont lawyer, upon the hetero- 
geneous mass of men, who in wild and exciting times had by 
their valor freed themselves from Mexican rule, and had be- 
fore them the task of resolving this chaotic population, repre- 
senting humanity in its original elements, into formal and or- 
derly government. The leaders did their work well, and well 
at the front was young Wheeler. 

His personality would have marked him in any assem- 
blage. With great suavity of manner, he had still something 
of the Puritan in his composition, and was unfaltering in his 
adherence to principle and was full of that high courage Avhich 
impels men to stand for the right at whatever risk and cost. 
He was a great and good man, to whom Texas owes a great 
debt. He was my friend and it gives me great pleasure after 
he has rested for so many years under your soil to pay this 
humble, sincere, but imperfect, tribute, to his worth and char- 
acter.'' 

Theological Department. 

I. A. Fortune, W. W. Harris, Pressley O'Kief, H. F. 
Pahl, J. Pruett, C. H. Schmeltzer, M. M. Vanderhurst, and 
D. !N\ Wheat, had been pursuing a course of study, and pre- 
paring themselves for the ministry, under the immediate direc- 
tion of Dr. Burleson for some time, but no department for 
ministerial training had been provided for. 



184 The Life and Writings of 

At a meeting of the Baptist State Convention, held in 
Waco in 1859, the subject of a Theological Department for 
the University was one of the subjects that engaged the atten- 
tion of that grave and learned body. The result of that dis- 
cussion was a recommendation to the Board of Trustees to 
investigate, and inquire into the advisability and practicability 
of opening a Theological Department, on a permanent basis 
at an early date. 

The Board took the matter up at once and acted favorably 
on the recommendation of the Convention. 

The plan which was most acceptable to the friends of 
ministerial education and training, was to secure the servicer 
of two learned and pious Theologians, to spend three months 
in the University during the sessions, and deliver courses of 
lectures on Systematic and Pastoral Theology, Homiletics, 
Biblical Interpretation and Church History. The sessions of 
the Theological Department were expected to embrace the 
winter months, when the least work was done by the preachers 
of that day owing to the scattered condition of the churches, 
and their consequent inaccessibility during bad weather. 
This would also enable young pastors and missionaries to at- 
tend the lectures. 

It was not the intention, so President Burleson stated, to 
establish this department on so extensive a scale as the South- 
ern Baptist Theological Seminary, but to adopt a model that 
could ultimately be developed into the plan of the Theologi- 
cal Department of Union University, Nashville, Tennessee, 
where ministers from age or other causes are prevented from 
pursuing a more extended course. It was decided that this 
department, and these lectures would only be open to young 
ministers, who had been licensed by their churches to preach 
the gospel. 

The desire of the president and the intention of the Trus- 
tees was executed in December, 1860, and this Department 
of Baylor University formally launched; but did not assume 
any great proportions, on account of the Civil War. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 185 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



Legal Relations oe Baylor University to Texas Baptist 
State Convention — Committee Report — An Exhaus- 
tive Discussion — Logical Presentation — Conclusions. 



HE Union Association being the mother of the Texas 
cation Society being the mother of Baylor Univer- 
Baptist Education Society, the Texas Baptist Edu- 
sity, the Texas Baptist Education Society having been merged 
into the Baptist State Convention, there was much discussion 
had from 1848 to 1859, as to the moral and legal relations 
sustained by the University to the Convention. To put this 
question at rest, the Convention at a meeting held at Inde- 
pendence in 1858, adopted the following resolution: 

"Resolved, That a committee be appointed to consider 
the legal relations between this Convention and Baylor Uni- 
versity, and submit a report upon this subject." 

The committee appointed under this resolution consisted 
of H. Clark, chairman, H. Garrett, R. C. Burleson, W. A. 
Montgomery and C. R. Breedlove. The committee made its 
report at the next session of the Convention, held in Waco, 
October 25th, 1859. It is exhaustive, logical and complete, 
and embodies Dr. Burleson's views on this subject so clearly, 
that while it covers some ground already gone over, notably 
the origin of Baylor University, it is given in full. The re- 
port is also reproduced, since the positions presented as to the 
relations between the University and Convention, have been 
handed down as expressions of the Supreme Court of Texas 
upon the questions discussed. 



186 The Life and "Weitings of 

Repoet on the Legal Relations of Bayloe Univeesity to 
the Baptist State Convention of Texas. 

Histoeical. 

Union Association., the first Baptist association organized 
in Texas, was constituted at Travis, Austin county, October 
8 tli, 1840. It embraced three Baptist churches, viz : The 
church at Travis, the church at Independence and the church 
La Grange. Connected with these churches were three minis- 
ters and fifty-three communicants. 

Its next session was held at Clear Creek, Fayette county, 
on the 7th day of October, 1841. It now embraced nine 
churches and three hundred and eighty-four communicants. 

At this session a resolution was adopted recommending 
"The formation of an Educational Society." This recom- 
mendation was responded to by the formation upon the spot 
of the "Texas Baptist Education Society." 

The object of this Society was declared in the Constitu- 
tion to be, "To assist in procuring an education for those young 
men who give evidence of being called of God to preach the 
Gospel, and who shall have the approbation of their respective 
churches." 

The 11th Article of its Constitution provided, that "Any 
individual of good moral character might become a member 
of the Society by signing the Constitution; 'but in no case,'' 
says the Article 'can he become a member of the Executive 
Committee, unless he is in communion with some regular 
Baptist church.'' " 

The first officers of the Society were, R. E. B. Baylor, 
President; S. P. Andrews, Recording Secretary; ¥m. M. 
Tryon, Corresponding Secretary; Bro. Collins, Treasurer; 
and James Huckins, J. L. Earquhar, Gail Borden, Z. E". Mor- 
rell, Stephen Williams, Bro. Ewing and J. S. Lester, Man- 
agers. 

In the year 1845, this Society procured from the Con- 
gress of Texas a Charter for a Literary Institution. In their 
petition to Congress they requested that the name and style 
of this institution of learning should be Bayloe Univeesity, 



De. Buftts C. Burleson. 187 

in honor of Hon. B. E. B. Baylor, the first President of the 
Society, and then and now an ordained minister of the Gospel, 
in the Baptist church. They also requested that a board of 
fifteen persons should be appointed, to take the general super- 
vision of the Institution, to receive in trust all moneys and 
effects that they and others might contribute for its foundation 
and maintenance, and to be invested with the corporate powers 
usually bestowed in such cases. 

In order to secure the administration of the trust, in 
accordance with their views and wishes, they designated by 
name, which, as the founders of the trust, they had the legal 
right to do, the persons who should constitute this board, and 
twelve of the fifteen were communicants of the Baptist church. 

In order to secure a perpetuity of such an administration, 
viz : An administration that should carry out the views and 
wishes of the founders, they furthermore requested, that the 
power of filling vacancies that should occur in this board, by 
death, resignation, or otherwise, should be reserved unto, and 
vested in, the Executive Committee of the Texas Baptist Edu- 
cation Society, which committee was composed of those only 
"in communion with some regular Baptist Church" 

All these conditions, together with others of less import- 
ance, in a legal point of view, were incorporated in a Charter, 
granted by the Congress of the Bepublic of Texas, and ap- 
proved February 1, 1845. This Charter was accepted by the 
trustees named therein, and Baylor University became an 
actual existence, and the Trustees thereof a body corporate, 
possessed of all the franchises, powers, privileges and immuni- 
ties usually bestowed upon corporations of this kind. It was 
opened for the reception of pupils, at Independence, in May, 
1846, and, under the wise provisions of its founders, and the 
faithful administration of its trusts, has continued in success- 
ful operation until the present time. 

It has now a trust fund in lands, buildings, endowments, 
subscriptions, apparatus, &c, of about sixty-five thousand dol- 
lars; with fourteen professors and teachers in both depart- 
ments and an aggregate of about two hundred and seventy-five 
pupils. 

In October of the year 1847, Union Association, the 



188 The Life and Writings of 

mother of the Education Society which founded the Univer- 
sity, directed the opening of a correspondence with other 
Baptist associations, and with "as many Baptist churches as 
practicable/' to ascertain their views in regard to the formation 
of a Baptist State Convention. This correspondence resulted 
in the assembling of delegates from twenty-three churches, 
at Anderson, G-rimes county, on the 8th of September, 1848, 
and then and there was organized the present body — the 
Baptist State Convention of Texas — seven years after the or- 
ganization of the Education Society, and three years and eight 
months after the incorporation of the University. Up to this 
time four vacancies had occurred in the Board of Trustees, 
three by resignation and one by death; which vacancies had 
been filled by the Education Society in the exercise of her legal 
right. But now, the Education Society, deeming the Conven- 
tion a more suitable depository of this trust, it being not only 
exclusively Baptist in character, and having education for its 
object in part, but being likewise an organization co-extensive 
with the state, and affording a probability amounting to cer- 
tainty, of being able to exercise this important power in per- 
petuity, made overtures to the Convention, at its second session 
in 1849, respecting the transfer of this power to this body. 
The Convention responded by appointing a Committee of Con- 
ference — an understanding was affected — the Education 
Society agreed to surrender her power — the Convention agreed 
to take it. An pplication was made to the Legislature by a 
joint committee for the necessary change in the charter, and an 
amendment was granted at the session of ? 49-'50. This 
amendment was accepted de facto by the trustees, and became 
a condition of their corporate existence; since which time all 
vacancies in their Board have been filled by this body. 

Intention of the Founders. 

"We now proceed to inquire respecting the intention of 
the original founders of the Institution. 

Intention may be expressed or implied. For the ex- 
pressed intent we examine the charter, and find it to be the 
establishment of an "institution of learning " For this pur- 
pose all necessary powers are bestowed upon the Board of 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 189 

Trustees. They are made capable of receiving money, lands 
and other valuable effects, for the purpose of promoting the 
interests of the University. They have the power of erecting 
buildings, of appointing all necessary officers, of prescribing a 
course of study, of making laws for the government of the 
Institution, and, in short, of doing whatever may, in their 
judgment, be necessary for the maintenance of an institution 
of learning. To this extent their powers go, and at this limit 
they stop. 

. But this expressed intention of the founders of Baylor 
University is not the only one that we have to consider. 
There is an intent to be implied from facts and circumstances 
existing at the time of its foundation, and that have been 
brought to view in the historical part of this report; and let 
it not be supposed that an intent implied from facts, is nec- 
essarily attended with any less degree of certainty than if 
expressed in words. Every jurist knows the weight that at- 
taches to testimony furnished by facts. It sometimes out- 
weights the testimony of living witnesses. Cases involving 
the lives and liberty of men are daily decided upon a sound 
and discriminating interpretation of the language of facts. 

We affirm, then, that the facts which have been brought 
to view, conclusively show that the founders of Baylor Univer- 
sity, not only intended to establish an institution of learning, 
but an institution of learning under the supervision and con- 
trol of Baptists, and one which should remain under such 
supervision and control so long as it maintained a corporate 
existence. 

Your committee would call particular attention to the 
argument upon this point, more especially for the reason that 
the mind of the denomination has been unsettled, upon the 
ground that Baylor University is in no proper sense a denomi- 
national institution, and, therefore, not worthy of its confi- 
dence and support. 

A writer in the Texas Baptist of April 2 2d, 1858, uses 
the following language : 

"If we send agents to collect donations for Baylor Uni- 
versity calling it our College — the Institution of the denomi- 
nation — some good brother will give a large donation or 



190 The Life and Writings of 

bequest to the Baylor University. His heirs will presently 
claim this donation or bequest, on the ground that the deceased 
supposed the University to belong to the denomination; but 
that the property of Baylor University belongs to the Trustees 
or to the State of Texas, and that the denomination has no 
power over it ; that, therefore, the Trustees have raised money 
on false pretenses, (?) and consequently the bequest should 
be void and thirty thousand dollars should revert to the lawful 
heirs. 7 ' 

Notwithstanding the confusion of ideas that is manifest 
in this extract, it had, in connection with other productions 
from the same pen, no little influence in unsettling the mind 
of the denomination, in regard to the real condition of the In- 
stitution and its real relation to the denomination; a fact, 
however, not surprising when we reflect that the subject 
treated of lay beyond the usual topics of investigation, and 
was one upon which most men had bestowed but little reflec- 
tion. 

"What, then, are the facts which authorize us to infer, a 
'priori, and with a certainty that excludes every reasonable 
doubt, that it was the intention of the founders of Baylor 
University, to establish an institution of learning that should 
be and should forever remain under the supervision and con- 
trol of Baptists ? 

First — The founders themselves, were Baptists, acting 
together in an organization, styled "The Texas Baptist Educa- 
tion Society," the object of which was declared by the Con- 
stitution to be, the education of young men for the Gospel 
ministry. 

Among these founders, a ruling spirit, the head and right 
arm, was Wm. M. Tryon, than whom never lived one more 
devoted to the vindication of those principles that distinguish 
the Baptists as a denomination. These men, thus organized, 
and for such an object resolve to establish an institution of 
learning. Now, they either intended to establish a Baptist 
institution or they did not. If they did not, one of two things 
is true. They either intended to establish an institution that 
should be under the control of some other denomination than 
the Baptists, or they intended to establish an institution with- 



Dr. Rttfus C. Bukleson. 191 

out any denominational or religious character. That Baptists 
should attempt to establish an institution of learning to be 
controlled by any other denomination than their own, or that 
men of piety should wish to establish one from which all re- 
ligious influences should be removed, are suppositions too 
irrational to be for a moment entertained. There remains, 
then, but the conclusion, that their intention was to establish 
a Baptist institution. But an intention creates nothing — ■ 
action is necessary; if, then, the acts of the founders harmonize 
with this supposed intention — if the measure they adopt are 
calculated to realize it — the character of their intention is es- 
tablished beyond the possibility of a doubt. 

The resolution being formed to establish an institution of 
learning, the Education Society appointed a committee . to 
memorialize Congress for a charter. This committee consisted 
of J. G-. Thomas, B. E. B. Baylor and Wm. M. Tryon. It is 
their right, as founders, to name those who shall take its inter- 
ests in charge, hold its property and manage its internal affairs. 
They name fifteen persons, a large majority of whom are 
Baptists. They do not stop here. Vacancies must, in the 
nature of things, occur in this Board of Supervisors. They 
request Congress to reserve unto a body, exclusively Baptist, 
viz : The Executive Committee of the Education Society, the 
sole power of filling all such vacancies. 

Here, then, is an institution of learning, brought into ex- 
istence by Baptists, placed under the supervision and control 
of Baptists, with a provision for the perpetuity of this same 
supervision and control unaltered in its character. 

This is enough to establish the intentions of the founders 
and to fix the denominational character of the Institution. But 
this is not all — Baylor University was established in Texas in 
the infancy of society. After the lapse of years and the de- 
nomination had increased in numbers and influence, the Bap- 
tist State Convention of Texas was formed. The Education 
Society again manifests the character of its intentions, the 
steadfastness of its purpose and the purity of its motives. She 
desires to link her yet tender offspring with a bond of mutual 
dependence and support still more closely to the denomination. 
She sees in this Convention a fitting depository of an important 



192 The Life and Writings of 

trust. It is an organization the most general in its character 
that our church polity admits of, and is co-extensive with the 
State itself. There is an assurance of her ability to exercise 
this trust in perpetuity, and her denominational character is 
a sufficient guarantee that she will so administer it as to pre- 
serve the denominational character of the Institution. The 
Education Society confers with the Convention — their views 
and wishes harmonize — the Legislature is memorialized, and 
an amendment to the charter is procured, removing the power 
of filling vacancies from the Executive Committee of the 
Texas Baptist Education Society and vesting it forever in the 
Convention. The amendment might have been rejected by 
the Board of Trustees. It was their legal right to do so if they 
saw proper; but they promptly accepted it, and manifested 
their desire, also, to be drawn into as intimate a connection 
with the denomination as possible. 

Your committee then submit, that Baylor University, 
having been founded by Baptists, with the intention of main- 
taining it under the control of Baptists, being now under the 
control of Baptists, and having the power of filling all vacan- 
cies in the Board of Trustees, vested in the Baptist State Con- 
vention of Texas, is strictly and essentially a denominational 
institution. Your committee are unable to conceive of any 
possible conditions that would render it more so. Baptists 
planted it, and Baptists have nurtured it, prayed for it, labored 
for it, given to it their influence and their means; and Bap- 
tists have reaped and are reaping the fruit of their -toils and 
self-sacrificing labors, in the education of their sons and 
daughters, in its high character as an institution of learning, 
and in the bright prospect that seems opening before it. 

Much of the discussion that has arisen respecting the 
relations of Baylor University to the denomination, has been 
founded in an entire misapprehension of what constitutes a 
•denominational institution. It is not essential to a Baptist 
institution that the title to its property be vested in the de- 
nomination ; this cannot be done without incorporating the de- 
nomination — an act without a precedent and utterly im- 
practicable. JSTor is it necessary that the denomination should 
have the power of directing the management of its affairs. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 193 

This power resides, in all such corporations, in its Board of 
Trustees, as an inherent right, and cannot be removed even by 
statute. 

The denominational character of an institution is not in 
any sense determined by the tenure by which its property is 
held. In all private eleemosynary corporations the property is 
vested in a Board of Trustees, who hold it for the purposes 
specified in the charter, and from which purposes they have no 
power to divert it — while the denominational character of the 
institution is determined by the denominational character of 
those who gave it birth, reared it, nurtured it, control it and 
reap its benefits. . . 

Baylor University as a Corporation. 

Your committee have thus far considered Baylor Univer- 
sity only in a denominational point of view, and they think 
they have shown that, in this respect, it is entitled to the con- 
fidence and worthy of the continued support of the denomina- 
tion. 

"We now proceed to consider it from a legal point of view, 
as a corporation or body politic, in order to ascertain its char- 
acter as a depository of trusts, and the grounds there are for 
believing that the benefactions of its friends will be applied 
to and held in perpetuity for the objects which the Institution 
was established to promote. 

The nature of corporations, their powers and liabilities, 
will of course be examined only so far as is required by the 
objects we have in view. 

In order not to extend this report to too great a length, 
we shall give authorities upon the most important points only ; 
remarking, however, that the authority for any legal doctrine 
or principle we may advance, will be furnished to any one who 
feels an interest in verifying it. 

"A corporation is a franchise possessed by one or more 
individuals, who subsist as a body politic under a special 
denomination; and are vested by the policy of law, with the 
capacity of perpetual succession, and of acting in several re- 
spects, however numerous the association may be, as a single 
individual. (II. Kent, p. 267.) 



194 The Life and Writings of 

"An eleemosynary corporation is a private charity con- 
stituted for the perpetual distribution of the bounty of the 
founder. In this class are included colleges and academies 
established for the promotion of learning, and endowed with 
property by public and private donations." (II. Kent, p. 274.) 

A corporation being an artificial person possesses no 
powers but such as are bestowed by legislative enactment, 
excepting those -that are necessary to the exercise of such as 
are expressed in the charter. (II. Kent, p. 277.) 

The charter of a corporation is, in the view of the law, 
a contract between the government and the persons named 
therein; wherein, in consideration of certain services proposed 
to be rendered to the public, the government grants to them 
certain powers, privileges and immunities; and upon the ac- 
ceptance of the charter by the persons proposed to be in- 
corporated, it is an executed contract, and the government has 
over it no further control. (Angell & Ames on Corp. Sec. 31.) 
She cannot revoke or annul, alter or amend without the con- 
sent of the corporation, unless she has expressly reserved to 
herself this right in the charter, or unless the Constitution of 
the State confers it. (The Constitution of Texas does confer 
this right but not in reference to corporations created under the 
government of the Republic. They remain independent of 
any arbitrary legislative control.) In case of a failure of con- 
sideration, if the corporation does not render to the public the 
services proposed, or transcends or misuses her powers, or fails 
to use them for the purposes designated, the State has no rem- 
edy, until she has entered the courts of law as a party to a suit, 
established the facts and procured a judgment. Then and not 
till then can she revoke the charter and can the powers granted 
revert to the government. (II. Kent, p. 305.) 

In the case of eleemosynary corporations, the founders 
of the trust are assumed to have the right to direct its dis- 
posal. The legal maxim, is, cujus est dare, ejus est disponere. 
The trustees are considered as the assignees of this right, and 
to stand in all respects in the place of the assignors. They are 
therefore bound to execute the intentions of the founders and 
are responsible for the failure to discharge the obligations of 
their trust. As a necessary consequence they have the sole 



Dr. Bufus C. Burleson. 



195 




DIFFERENT PORTRAITS OF DR. BURLESON. 



196 The Life and "Writings of 

right to the management of the funds and revenues of the 
trust, subject to the jurisdiction of Courts of Chancery. Story, 
in his Equity Jurisprudence (Sec. 1191) says: "Where a 
charity is definite in its object and lawful in its creation, and 
it is to be executed and regulated by trustees, whether they are 
private individuals or a corporation, then the administration 
properly belongs to such trustees. In all such cases, however, 
if there be any abuse or misuse of the funds by the trustees, the 
Court of Chancery will interpose at the instance of the At- 
torney General or the parties in interest, to correct such abuse 
or misuse of the funds.'' 

Again the same author says: (Sec. 1287) "Courts of 
Equity will not only hold Trustees responsible for any misap- 
plication of trust property, and any gross negligence or willful 
departure from their duty in the management of it, but they 
will go further and in cases requiring such a remedy, they will 
remove the old Trustees, and substitute new ones. Indeed the 
appointment of new Trustees is an ordinary remedy enforced 
by Courts of Equity, in all cases where there is a failure of 
suitable Trustees to perform the trust, either from accident, 
or from the refusal of the old Trustees to act; or from their 
original or supervenient incapacity to act, or from any other 
cause." 

Kent, vol. II. p. 351, says: "It is well understood that 
the Court of Chancery has a jurisdiction over charitable-cor- 
porations for breaches of trust. 

In eleemosynary corporations the visatorial power hith- 
erto incidentally referred to, is a power of so much import- 
ance as to require special attention. 

This power implies the exercise of that supervision and 
control over the disposition of the funds and revenues, and 
over all the internal affairs of the corporation that the found- 
ers themselves would employ, were they in person administer- 
ing their own charity. 

This power as has been already said, resides in the Board 
of Trustees. Kent, vol. II. p. 148, says : "Where Governors 
or Trustees are appointed by charter according to the will of 
the founder, to manage a charity, as is usually the case in col- 
leges, the visitorial power is deemed to belong to the Trustees 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 197 

in their corporate character.' 7 And again : " Assuming then, 
as is almost universally the fact in this country, that the power 
of visitation of all our public charitable corporations is invested 
by the founders and donors of the charity, and by the acts of 
incorporation, in the governors or trustees, who are the assig- 
nees of the rights of the founders, and stand in their places, 
it follows that the Trustees of a college may exercise their 
visitorial powers in sound discretion, and without being liable 
to any supervision and control, so far as respects the govern- 
ment and discipline of the institution, and so far as they ex- 
ercise their powers in good faith, and within the limits of the 
charter. They may annul and repeal the by-laws and ordi- 
nances of the corporation, remove its officers, correct abuses, 
and generally superintend the management of the trust." 

We have now examined the nature, powers, liabilities and 
immunities of corporations sufficiently for our purpose. 

The principles we have brought to view will enable us to 
examine the charter of Baylor University with a view to deter- 
mine whether the corporation it creates, is a safe depository 
of trusts for the support and maintenance of an institution 
of learning. 

The only articles in the charter that relate to the power 
to take, to hold and to use funds in trust, are the fourth and 
sixth — we give them entire : 

Article 4. — "Be it further enacted, that the trustees 
aforesaid, be, and they are hereby constituted a body politic 
and corporate, in deed and in law, by the name of the President 
and Trustees of Baylor University ; and by that name they and 
their successors shall and may have succession, and be able 
and capable in law to have and receive and enjoy to them and 
their successors, lands, tenements and hereditaments of any 
kinds, in fee or for life, or for years, and personal property of 
any kind whatever; and also all sums of money which may be 
given, granted or bequeathed to them for the purpose of pro- 
moting the interest of the University. Provided, the amount 
of property owned by said corporation shall not at any one 
time exceed One Hundred Thousand dollars, over and above 
the buildings, library and apparatus necessary to the institu- 
tion." 



198 The Life and Writings of 

By this article it will be seen that all the estate, real and 
personal, which the Trustees are empowered to have and re- 
ceive and enjoy, is to be had and received and enjoyed, for 
the purpose of promoting the interest of the University. 

Article 6. — "Be it further enacted, that the Trustees of 
said University shall and may have a common seal for the busi- 
ness of themselves and their successors, with liberty to change 
and alter the same from time to time, as they shall think 
proper; and that in their aforesaid name, they and their suc- 
cessors shall and may be able to sue and be sued, plead and be 
impleaded, answer and be answered, defend and be defended 
in all courts of law or equity in this republic; and to grant, 
bargain and sell or assign any lands, tenements, goods or chat- 
tels that may belong to said University; to construct all neces- 
sary buildings for the said institution; to establish a prepar- 
atory department and a female department, and such other de- 
pendent institutions as they shall deem necessary; to have the 
management of the finances, the privileges of electing their 
own o^ers, of appointing all necessary committees, and to 
act and do all things whatsoever for the benefit of said institu- 
tion, in as ample a manner as any person or body politic or 
corporate can or may do by law." 

By this article it appears that when they grant, bargain 
and sell or assign any lands, tenements, goods or chattels that 
may belong to the University, it must be done for the benefit of 
the University. 

In connection with these powers, and the limitations and 
restrictions with which they are inseparably connected, take 
the language of Kent : "It is well understood that the court of 
chancery has a jurisdiction over charitable corporations for 
breaches of trust" and determine whether the founders, pat- 
rons and donors of Baylor University have not the most ample 
security for the faithful administration of their benefactions. 

Objections Considered and Answered. 

"We now pass to consider briefly the arguments that have 
tended to unsettle the mind of the denomination in regard to 
the tenure by which the Trust funds of Baylor University are 
held. Upon an application of the legal principles we have 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 199 

brought to view, we believe they will be found destitute of 
weight and not worthy of serious consideration. 

It has been urged that "the Legislature may refuse to 
renew the charter of the corpora tion," and' the question has 
been gravely asked — "If in that event the heirs of the Trus- 
tees should claim the inheritance, who would contest it." 

The supposition that the Legislature may refuse to renew 
a charter is too irrational to be entertained. Your committee 
believe it would be the first case on record, where a Legisla- 
ture, without a cause, and where all the conditions of the 
original grant had been faithfully complied with, refused to 
renew the charter of a charitable corporation. Indeed the 
writer himself admits that this, with several other cases he 
supposes, are "not at all likely to occur." In a logical point of 
view, it is unnecessary to answer objections which the objector 
himself concedes are not founded in reason. 

Nevertheless in order that there may be no objection to 
this report on the ground of a want of completeness, your 
committee proceed to reply : 

A corporation may cease to exist — and from other causes 
than the expiration of its charter. Upon the judgment of a 
court of law, its charter may be forfeited and annulled. The 
constituent members of a corporation may die, and the. power 
to renew may be lost ; but a broad distinction exists between a 
corporation and a trust — between an incorporated board of 
Trustees, and the trust it administers. A corporation may die 
— a trust never dies. That "a trust cannot fail for want of a 
trustee" is a legal maxim. If the Trustees of Baylor Univer- 
sity should demise to-morrow, and this Convention should dis- 
solve never to assemble again, or if the charter should be for- 
feited and annulled, or expire by limitation, the law, with the 
same watchful vigilance with which it now guards the ad- 
ministration of this trust, would provide for its security-— ap- 
point a new trustee or trustees, and compel the continued ad- 
ministration of the charity in accordance with the intent and 
design of the founders, patrons and donors. 

Again it has been argued: "Suppose that the denomi- 
nation should wish to abolish the Law Department or establish 
a Theological Department, and that the Trustees should re- 



200 The Life and Writings of 

fuse — by what process of law can you compel their consent." 

And again : "Suppose the trustees should offer for sale 
the lands of the Institution, against the wishes and advice of 
the Convention — by what process of law could you prevent 
the sale." 

Both these supposed cases are of those which are declared 
by the objector to be "not at all likely to occur." But for the 
reason already assigned, your committee reply: The powers 
called in question here, of directing the arrangement of the 
internal affairs of the Institution and managing its funds, in- 
here in the Board of Trustees by virtue of their visatorial 
power. They are supposed to stand in the place of the 
founders and donors and to be the assignees of all their rights 
and privileges. They are responsible for the abuse of their 
trust, and not the Convention, and so long as they keep within 
the limits prescribed by the charter, and execute in good faith 
the wishes and intentions of the founders and donors of the 
trust, there is no power that has a right to interpose. 

In view of the principle that a founder or donor has the 
right to direct the management of his benefaction, and that 
the Trustees of the fund are the sole assignees of this right, 
your committee are unable to perceive upon what principle of 
law or reason this Convention can claim the right to exercise 
the privileges of founders and donors in respect to a charity, 
founded before she had an existence and to the funds of which 
she never, as a Convention, has contributed one dollar. 

But we may fairly meet the suppositions to which we are 
responding by another. Suppose that in obedience to the com- 
mand of this Convention, the Board of Trustees should make 
such a disposition of her trust or any part thereof as should call 
for the interposition of the Court of Chancery, and, in answer 
to the summons, should plead that she had acted in obedience 
to the command of this- Convention. Would the Court admit 
the plea and displace the Convention? This she must do, if 
the Convention is the ultimate authority and has the legal right 
to control the Board. But no; the answer would be, The law 
recognizes you and you alone as responsible for the administra- 
tion of this trust. The Trustees- would be displaced and others 
would be appointed, who knew their duties, and would act in 
obedience to the laws of the land. 



Dr. Ktjfus C. Burleson. 201 

Again the question is asked : "Suppose you elect a man 
to fill a vacancy, the Board may refuse to admit him on the 
ground that you have no (legal) existence, what recourse has 
the Convention ?" 

In answer, let us make the case general, and suppose the 
Board should refuse on any ground to admit your appointee — 
what recourse has the Convention. We answer none. Her 
power ceases with the act of appointment. The appointee, 
however, has a remedy ample and immediate. He has, by 
reason of your appointment, become invested with a legal 
right, in support of which he can invoke the strong arm of 
judicial authority. He must enter the Court of highest ordi- 
nary jurisdiction in the State, and make a statement of the 
facts in specified form. If the Court deem him to have been 
resisted in a legal right, a writ of mandamus will issue; which 
is a writ commanding to be done, that which of right ought 
to be done. The Board must now admit the appointee or show 
good cause why he should not be admitted. If the Court 
deem the cause sufficient, there is no remedy, and the Con- 
vention must appoint again. But if the cause is deemed in- 
sufficient, a second writ of peremptory mandamus will issue 
directed to the Board. She must then admit him or brave the 
strong arm of the law. 

The last point which your Committee propose to examine, 
is, the validity of appointments by this Convention, filling 
vacancies in the Board of Trustees. 

Upon this point your Committee have bestowed that 
attention which its importance demands ; and after consulting 
the highes legal auhority they could command, they have no 
alternative but to report such appointments as strictly legal 
and valid. 

In all the authorities consulted they have found no dis- 
senting opinion. It is not considered essential to the validity 
of the act, that the Convention should be incorporated, as it 
is not an act requiring the existence of corporate powers. 

For the benefit, however, of those who think differently, 
we submit the following as conclusive, and sufficient to set 
the question finally and forever at rest. We quote from Angell 
& Ames on Corporations (p. 73.) 



202 The Life and Writings of 

"It is indeed a principle of law which has been often acted 
on, that where rights, privileges and powers have been granted 
by law to an association of persons by a collective name, and 
there is no mode by which such rights can be enjoyed, or such 
powers exercised without acting in a corporate capacity, such 
associations are, by implication, a corporation, so far as to en- 
able them to exercise the rights and powers granted. The 
assent of Government, in other words, to corporate organiza- 
tion, may be given constructively or presumptively and with- 
out the use of the word "incorporate." 

Your Committee further report that this appointing 
power vested in the Baptist State Convention of Texas by 
legislative enactment, is the only legal relation they have been 
able to discover existing between this Convention and Baylor 
University. 

Summary. 

Your Committee now submit the following as a summary 
of the conclusions at which we arrive, as the result of this 
laborious investigation. 

First — That Baylor University is strictly a denomina- 
tional institution. 

Second — That the legal title to all its estate, real and 
personal, is vested in the Board of Trustees. 

Third — That the Convention in relation to the Univer- 
sity, possesses no visitorial power. 

Fourth — That the Board of Trustees of Baylor Univer- 
sity is under the strongest legal, as well as the highest moral 
obligation to use all its powers, privileges and immunities, and 
all its trust funds, lands, buildings, endowments and posessions 
of every description, for the support and maintenance of an 
institution of learning, under the control of Baptists, and that 
the law provides the most ample security for such an admin- 
istration of the trust. 

Fifth — That no change in the act of incorporation can 
increase the obligations of the Trustees or make more secure 
to the denomination, the tenure by which the trust funds of 
Baylor University are held. 

Sixth — That the only legal relation existing between 



Dr. Ruftts C. Burleson. 203 

the Convention and the University is, the power which this 
Convention has of filling vacancies in the Board of Trustees. 

Seventh — That there is a moral relation of mutual de- 
pendence and support which makes their interests identical, 
and is a certain guarantee that they will continue to work 
harmoniously together for the promotion of learning, piety 
and virtue, so long as there are minds to be enlightened, and 
hearts to be purified, sanctified and made meet for the in- 
heritance of the saints in light. 

All of which is respectfully submitted. 
Signed by the Committee, 

H. CLARK, Chairman. 
H. GARRETT, 
R. C. BURLESON, 
W. A. MONTGOMERY, 
C. R. BREEDLOVE. 



iM£w 



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ff* f< 



V'V ^ 



" I" 



204 The Life and Writings of 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



Chapel Talks — -Subjects Discussed — Extract from a 
Student's Letter — Good Impressions Made — Detec- 
tive Bird — Anecdotes and Incidents — A Carriage 
Ride — Takes a Sap — Breaks Up a Turkey Supper — 
A Primitive Elevator — Dr. Burleson Pays a Re- 
ward for the Return of His Buggy — Declines the 
Noun Pes — Builds a Gymnasium — Plays Hot Ball. 

CHAPEL TALKS. 



run 

wl J T was during these years also that Dr. Burleson inau- 
5mS gurated his Chapel Talks, and educated his cele- 
* J brated Detective Bird. The impression made by 

these talks upon the mind and character of the students, will 
never be effaced, and the performances of this Detective Bird 
never cease to excite wonder in their minds. 

Every morning, the exercises of the day were opened by 
reading a few verses from some chapter in the Bible, touching 
man's obligation to God, followed by a brief prayer. Gener- 
ally, these passages were read by the Senior and Junior classes. 
They occupied front seats in the chapel, and read alternately. 
When the lesson had been thus read, Dr. Burleson would fol- 
low with a short chapel talk. His favorite themes were, Man's 
Homogeneity, Reciprocal Relations, Mutual Dependence^ 
Community of Interest, Altruism, Duties of Life, Man's Ob- 
ligation to the World. 

His responsibility to God, and his accountability for not 
making the best use of his opportunities in life. His resources 
in the discussion of such subjects were inexhaustible, and every 



Dk. Rtteus C. Burleson. 205 

morning some bright new thought would be presented in his 
Chapel talk, that lifted every young man in the school higher, 
and sent him bounding through the work of the day with new 
views of life, and higher aspirations and purposes. 

Of the effect produced, and the enduring impressions 
made upon the lives and character of the students of Baylor 
University, one 'of the finest encomiums ever pronounced was 
by Gov. L. S. Ross in an address delivered before the Con- 
federate Veteran Association in Waco, 1894. He was Com- 
mander of the Association, an alumnus of Baylor University 
and in his annual address on that occasion declared that Dr. 
Burleson's Chapel Talks had inspired him with higher ambi- 
tion to serve mankind in some useful sphere, and gave him 
clearer conceptions of life's duties than any feature of his 
college course. He also stated that what he was, or whatever 
he had accomplished in life, was due to the impressions thus 
made. Similar statements could be given as coming from 
other distinguished statesmen, as to the value of this method of 
imparting instruction, and presenting high ideals to the young 
men whose training had been committed to his management. 

It is not asserted that the highest spheres of usefulness. 
-can be reached without a thorough equipment and education; 
but the opinion is x ventured, based in part on personal experi- 
ence, that scores upon scores of the Alumni of Baylor Univer- 
sity have been inspired to look out, and reach up, to attain the 
highest ideals in life by these morning talks. 

"Well do I remember the kind words spoken the last time 
I saw you in Baylor, especially do I remember your Chapel 
Talk that morning in which there was so much wise counsel, 
and such interest evinced in the moral, intellectual and phy- 
sical well-being of your students. A sense of the keenest ap- 
preciation will go with me through the remaining years of 
my life." 

Thus an old student recently wrote from a distant; state. 
This chapter could be filled with extracts from letters of the 
same kind, showing the impressions made on the minds of stu- 
dents by these lectures. These exercises were not only sources 
of pleasure and profit as conducted by Dr. Burleson, but there 
was another respect in which they were valuable to the student 
body. 



206 The Life and Writings of 

Whenever a distinguished man, in any avocation of life 
visited Independence, Dr. Burleson would have him visit the 
University, and lecture in his stead. In this way the young 
men not only had the pleasure and satisfaction of seeing the 
leaders of thought, and controlling spirits in the affairs of both 
church and state, but of hearing them lecture on the practical 
duties of life. 

Whenever a visitor was introduced, every student in the 
Chapel would rise to his feet, make a graceful bow, and re- 
sume his seat. 

Another valuable feature of Dr. Burleson's Chapel Talks, 
was the deep impression made on the minds of the students, 
as to the importance of a well ordered home, and the inculca- 
tion of a spirit of filial devotion. Next to his God, he enter- 
tained the profoundest regard for the sanctity of the home, 
and magnified and exalted it on all occasions. 

If a man would but discharge his duty in the home circle, 
and prove himself to be worthy of that confidence and loyalty 
man is wont to demand as the head of the household, however 
tempestuous and turbulent life might be, his home would be 
a haven, and place of refuge to which he could flee, where 
his bark would glide serenely upon a sea of love, instead of 
being rolled and broken by restless billows. There are happy 
homes, presided over by happy wives, where cadence sings in 
unconfined, unrestrained joyousness all over Texas, and other 
states, that have been made so in part, by the impression made 
on the student's heart, by a wholesome truth uttered in some 
one of these Chapel Talks. 

Detective Bird. 

Boys have been boys in all the past ages of the world, and 
they will continue to be boys in all ages to come. Boys will 
have their fun whether in school or out of it. The boys who 
lived in Texas in the earlier times, were just like the boys 
who live in Texas now. The prairies were larger, long years 
ago when Baylor University was young, and Dr. Burleson in 
the prime of manhood; the streams clearer, the forests thicker, 
the grass taller, the wild flowers brighter, the winters were 
warmer, and the summers cooler. In all nature there have 



Dr. Eufus C. Burleson. 207 

come great changes; but this has not changed the boys; they 
are just the same, they loved fun then, they love it yet. The 
boys in "Baylor" formed no exception to this rule, they loved 
fun just as others. 

Another thing about boys, they are smart, and when 
they go out to have fun they are cunning and hard to catch. 
Dr. Burleson was well acquainted with this boyish character- 
istic, and while he was willing for them to have their sport, 
he wanted to know what was going on so he could keep the 
fun within the bounds of propriety. When therefore, the 
students would slip out of a window and slide down a column 
to engage in some kind of amusement, he would slip out him- 
self and try to find them. Sometimes he would succeed, and 
sometimes he failed. 

He was equal to the emergency however, and trained 
what he called his little "Detective Bird." "When the young 
men were out of their rooms," he said, "my Detective Bird 
comes fluttering to me, whispers in my ear, and tells me where 
the young men are and what they are doing." The students 
were skeptical as to whether he really had a bird so well 
trained or not, but of one thing they were quite sure, and that 
was, they could not elude detection. 

Dr. Burleson, his Detective Bird and the escapades of the 
students, forms the subject of many amusing incidents. 

A Carriage Ride. 

When school was dismissed one Friday evening during 
the spring term of 1856, Dr. Burleson announced that he 
would drive out in the country the next morning and spend 
the day with a friend. Two of the students who were sitting 
together in the Chapel, decided as soon as they got out of the 
building, they would disappoint him in his anticipated pleas- 
ure, and have some fine sport at the same time. The plan 
adopted was to go to the bam, and pull his carriage off and 
hide it in the woods, and thus prevent him from making the 
visit. The little bird informed Dr. Burleson of the plan, and 
he concluded he would have some fun himself. He hurried 
through supper, went out, got in the carriage, and down be- 
tween the seats, and concealed himself by unrolling the 



208 The Life and Writings of 

curtains, and throwing a blanket over his body. In a 
little while the boys came, opened the door, pulled the 
carriage out, and went off chuckling about how sadly dis- 
appointed he would be the next morning. "When they had 
gone more than a mile, and were very much fatigued, Dr. 
Burleson thrust his head out at one side, and said, "Young 
gentlemen, I am very much obliged for this nice ride, and 
would suggest that you stop, and when you have rested a 
moment, you can pull me back home." 

Taedes a Nap. 

In the "Octagon," which Dr. Burleson occupied as a 
residence at Independence, the rooms were large, and four 
boarders lived in each room. The four young men occupying 
one of these rooms concluded they would have a "chicken 
supper." The plan was, for three of the young men to go out 
and get the chickens, (buy them of course) while the fourth 
would remain in the room, go to bed, put out the light, and 
snore loud enough for everybody in the house to hear him, 
so as to keep down suspicion. In a little while, the young 
man left in the room became impatient, rolled out of bed, and 
went out to see what success his room-mates were having in 
buying the chickens, but he failed to find them. The Detec- 
tive Bird informed Dr. Burleson of "what was up," and he 
went to the room, got in bed and waited. In a little while 
the young men who had been out to buy the chickens re- 
turned with four, fine, fat, frying-size fowls, threw them on 
the table, "struck a light," and called to the young man in 
bed to get up, help clean and cook them. 

The consternation that prevailed in that room may be 
imagined, but not described, when Dr. Burleson rolled out, 
and said, "All right young gentlemen, if you bought those 
chickens, it will be better to wait and let Mrs. Burleson have 
them nicely fried for breakfast, but if you "hooked them," I 
would advise you to return them to the owner at once." 

Turkey Supper. 

One night in the fall of 1857, when turkeys were fat, the 
air crisp, and the appetite of students sharp, about one dozen 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 209 

of the young men in the University concluded they would 
have a great turkey supper. The Male and Female Depart- 
ments of Baylor at Independence, were situated on opposite 
hills one thousand yards apart. A beautiful brook flowed be- 
tween these hills, which Dr. Burleson christened "Jordan." 
The place selected for the supper was on "Jordan," about one 
mile north of town. An old colored man was employed to buy 
the turkeys, and have them at the place designated, at the ap- 
pointed time. The boys assembled, all eager for the feast. 
Some were cleaning, others were cooking, and all were talking. 
Dr. Burleson's Detective Bird had informed him of the plan 
of the boys, and he concluded to take a hand in the fun. After 
the boys had gone, he went to the place, secreted himself in a 
ravine near by, and looked and listened. They were all in a 
great glee. One of the young men remarked : 

"Boys, suppose Dr. Burleson were to slip up on us, what 
would we do ?" 

"I would catch him by the nape of the neck and sling 
him into that pool of water," one replied. 

Another one said : "I would take a piece of brush and 

fray him to a frazzle, and teach him to mind his own business." 

A third remarked; "I tell you what I would do; I would tie 

him hand and foot, take off his coat and pants, and leave him 

to spend the night on Jordan's stormy banks." 

This suggestion the crowd thought would be capital pun- 
ishment for his interference, and all roared. 

The fourth boy said : "Well, I tell you what I would 
do. I would say, Dr. Burleson, walk up and eat some turkey 
with us." 

At this juncture Dr. Burleson emerged from his place of 
concealment, and, addressing himself to the one who had last 
spoken : "Thank you, sir, as you seem to be the only young 
man here who has any politeness, I will accept your invitation. 
Turkey is my favorite fowl." 

With this he walked up. The crowd was thrown into a 
state of panic, and every one of them bounded off into the 
brush like frightened deer. Dr. Burleson left the old colored 
man who was assisting the young men in preparing the tur- 



210 The Life and Writings oe 

keys in charge of the situation, and as they did not return, the 
old man carried them to his home and had a large family feast. 
Dr. Burleson usually came out victorious in these esca- 
pades with the students, but not always. Sometimes he was 
turned down, as the following incident shows : 

A Primitive Elevator. 

The young men in the boarding house planned to play 
some practical jokes on persons around town one night, and the 
ubiquitous Detective Bird was again to the front. It was dif- 
ficult for the young men to get out of the house undetected; 
so they improvised an elevator. A rope was attached to the 
basket used for soiled clothes. One would get in, and two 
strong boys, stationed on the third gallery, would lower him to 
the ground. Several were let down in this way. Two were 
stationed on the gallery, and it was understood, when the boys 
returned after having their fun, the signal for them to be 
drawn up would be given by jerking the rope. Dr. Burleson 
went out of the back door, around the house to the basket, got 
in and 1 jerked the rope. Instantly the boys commenced haul- 
ing him up. When about half way, they discovered who 
it was, stopped and secured the upper end of the rope 
to the railing, and stepped back against the wall. Dr. Burle- 
son supposed they were merely resting, but in a few minutes 
jerked the rope. The elevator did not move. He jerked 
again and again, but the boys did not come. He was allowed 
to remain in this state of both mental and physical suspense for 
some time, when the boys peeped over the rail, and said : 

"Doctor, we know who you are, and do not intend to 
haul you up another inch until you promise not to give any of 
us demerit marks." 

Dr. Burleson saw he was entrapped and replied : 

"Well, boys, see here; suppose we compromise our dif- 
ferences. I tell you what I will do ; if you will pull me either 
up, or let me down, I do not care which, just so I get out of 
this basket, I will agree not to give you any demerits, if you 
will promise not to do so any more." 

The compromise was accepted, the Doctor was let down, 
though, he admitted, badly "done up." 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 211 

Pays a Reward. 

When the boarding students entered Baylor University 
they deposited all their ''pin money" with the President, and 
he returend it as their necessities required. He woke up one 
morning during the spring session of ; 58, and found that his 
buggy had been put on top of the Female College building. 
He was a little nonplused, but resolved to turn the joke on the 
boys if possible. He had learned from his Detective Bird 
who the boys were that had put his buggy on the college, and 
was, of course, familiar with their financial status. So he 
approached the leader in the episode, and said : "Robert, here 
is a bright, new ten-dollar gold piece. I will hand it to you 
if you will go over and bring my buggy home." 

Robert seized the opportunity of earning $10 so quickly 
and easily, went at once, took the buggy down, and pulled it 
home. Dr. Burleson went out, handed Robert the gold piece, 
and told him it was his own money he had been working for. 

Assists in Declining a !Noun. 

Dr. Burleson was very grave and dignified in manner, 
easy in conversation, never "spun yarns," or told "smutty 
stories," but there was a streak of original, refined humor run- 
ning through his nature which at times he seemed to be unable 
to suppress. A little incident illustrates this trait. 

In the Female Department of the University at Inde- 
pendence there was a most charming young lady whose sur- 
name was Rem. In the Male Department there was a fine 
young man whose first name was Lem, a contraction of 
Lemuel. Lem was very much in love with Miss Rem, and 
everybody in both the school and town knew it. On one 
occasion, when hearing the class in Latin grammar, Dr. Bur- 
leson gave Lem the noun Res to decline. He commenced, 
res, reis, rem. Before he could finish, Dr. ' Burleson inter- 
posed and continued, "found in the accusative and governed 
by Lem." 

The class was convulsed with laughter, and Dr. Burleson 
dismissed it, saying, "Young gentlemen, you can get this 
same lesson for to-morrow. 



212 The Life and Writings of 

Dr. Burleson always manifested great interest in the 
exercises and pastime of his students. In 1858 he had erected, 
at his own expense, on the college campus a well-equipped and 
well-arranged gymnasium, for those days, where physical 
exercise of almost any kind could be taken. 

He was seen on the campus every day among the boys, 
and would occasionally take part in the games. When he 
engaged with the students in their outdoor sports he was the 
center of attraction, very naturally, and seemed to be able to 
endure any amount of punishment. 

On one occasion this writer saw him step out on the cam- 
pus at Independence, where a hundred boys were engaged in 
playing an exciting game of "hot ball," and offer himself as a 
target for the whole crowd. He was pelted a hundred times 
with solid rubber balls, and one hundred blue spots must have 
been made on his body, but he was as obdurate and unmoved 
as the sturdy live oak under which he stood while the fun was 
going on. The sport over, he saluted the boys, and bowed 
himself from the grounds, his face wreathed in smiles, when 
he was unquestionably suffering the greatest pain. 




Dr. Ktjftts C. Burleson. 213 



CHAPTER XXV. 



Controversy Between President Burleson and Princi- 
pal of the Female Department — Called Before 
the Board of Trustees — Submitted Their Grievances 
in Writings — Each Appears in His Own Behalf — 
Findings of the Trustees — Accepted as Satisfactory 
— Stringent Besolutions of the Board — High Re- 
gard of Trustees for the Heads of Both Departments 
of the School. 



^^y E now approach a period in the story of Dr. Bur- 
gling] leson's life which we would prefer to avoid, the facts 
' of which, however, are so far reaching as to affect 
the course of this great man, the cause of education and the 
history of Texas, that loyalty to the record and devotion to 
the truth compels their recital. 

"Washington County, from the earliest settlement of the 
country, while yet a Mexican province up to 1861, was the 
most historic of any in the State. It was in her borders that 
the first families of Austin's original three hundred colonists 
settled in 1822. It was one of the oldest provinces, municipal- 
ities and counties formed under the Mexican Government. 

It was here the Declaration of Independence was pro- 
mulgated March the 2d, 1836. It was here the Republic of 
Texas was organized March 16th of that year. It was here 
that the joint resolution passed by the American Congress, 
providing for the annexation of Texas to the United States, 
was ratified July 4th, 1845, on the sixty-ninth anniversary of 
the birth of the great Republic, and where Texas, as a nation, 
ceased to exist. It has the proud distinction of containing 



214 The Life and Writings of 

the capital of the Republic three times; in 1836, 1842, and in 
1845. The county was not only the center of population in 
its early history, but of wealth, refinement, education and re- 
ligion. The momentous events about to be related mark the 
decay and decline of all these interests. And while the map 
of Texas has not been changed, the center and headquarters of 
all these ennobling and elevating interests have been shifted 
to other sections of the State. 

As already seen, Baylor University was composed of 
Male and Female Departments, taught in separate buildings 
on opposite hills. Dr. Burleson was President of the Univer- 
sity — that is to say, of both departments — and Rev. Horace 
Clark Principal of the Female Department. He was con- 
ceded to be a man of pure life. 'possessed of a high order of 
wisdom and much learning, a fine teacher and a successful 
disciplinarian and manager; but, like all men modestly con- 
scions of his ability, ambitious. Some discussion was indulged 
in by the Trustees and friends of the schools as to the propriety 
of making the Female Department a distinct school and 
placing Prof. Clark at its head as President. The time was 
not ripe for this change in the genius of the institution, though 
it was eventually effected. Prof. Clark became more and 
more self-assertive, and seemed to chafe under the restraints 
of the subordinate position he held. Dr. Burleson maintained 
the dignity of the presidency, and insisted on exercising all 
the rights and authority of the position, as defined by an act of 
the Board of Trustees. 

Mild clashes and conflicts for this reason occurred. 
These conflicts increased in frequency. They not only be- 
came more frequent, but the issues more sharply defined. 
From clearly defined issues, as times passed, they became 
violent differences. From violence, the disagreements as- 
sumed an unwarranted degree of fierceness. At first the 
differences were only conflicts of authority, but soon 
they took on a personal phase. The President and Prin- 
cipal stood face to face and toe to toe, Dr. Burleson claiming, 
asserting and maintaining all his authority, and Prof. Clark 
refusing to recede one hair's breadth. The situation was 
alarming, had its effect upon the schools, and spread through- 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 215 

out the community. Mutual friends intervened for the pur- 
pose of effecting a settlement of the differences and reconciling 
the parties, but all these worthy, disinterested efforts were 
fruitless. People in the community, as well as members of 
the denomination at large, began to take sides and become 
inflamed partisans. 

It was now apparent that a crisis was on, the welfare of 
the schools involved, and that nothing could be done except 
by the Board of Trustees interposing to the very limit of its 
authority. A special meeting was, therefore, called, and the 
situation calmly and exhaustively discussed. A committee 
was appointed by the board to interview President Burleson 
and Prof. Clark, and effect, if possible, a compromise of the 
differences, and complete reconciliation. The committee 
labored earnestly for several days to accomplish the object for 
which it was appointed, but utterly failed in its purpose, and so 
stated to the board at a session called to hear its report. A 
resolution was passed requiring President Burleson and Prof. 
Clark to reduce their grievances to writing, and submit them 
to the board, each of whom would be accorded the privilege 
of appearing for himself in support of the charges, and when 
the arguments had been heard, the charges would be impar- 
tially considered, and both parties furnished with a written 
copy of their findings and conclusions reached. 

These charges were written, as requested, and filed with 
the board at a meeting held on the 29th of June, 1860, and are 
as follows : 

Charges by Clark. 

To the Board of Trustees of Baylor University : 

First. I feel grieved with Brother Burleson for com- 
pelling me to arise in a religious assembly to reply to what I, 
and others, conceived to be a personal attack upon me. 

Second. I feel grieved with him in permitting a disre- 
spectful demonstration toward me on the part of students of 
the male department. 

Third. I feel aggrieved with him for permitting to be 
circulated a certain letter written to him personally many 
years ago for the purpose of inviting a reconciliation, and 



216 The Life and Writings of 

which was used not in accordance with its spirit and tenor, but 
in such a way as to place me in the attitude of an aggressor. 

Fourth. I feel aggrieved with him for publicly making 
disparaging remarks against the female department. 

Fifth. I feel aggrieved with him for not being willing 
to submit our differences to the arbitration of mutual friends. 

Sixth. I feel aggrieved with him for not manifesting 
a willingness to settle them upon a basis which I conceive to 
be mutually honorable. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Horace Clark. 

Burleson's Charges. 

First. Prof. Clark has grieved me personally. He pub- 
licly, on the night of the 17th instant, charged me with being' 
the cause of the dissensions and party strife in the church at 
Independence. 

Second. He has grieved me by reviving a matter fully 
settled by the Board of Trustees. 

Third. In reviving this matter, that was thought to be 
settled and buried forever, he has revived a letter casting upon 
me the imputation of insincerity and hypocrisy, and charging 
my family and friends with crimes that makes "one sick at 
heart." 

Fourth. He has treated my wife and myself with disre- 
spect, in not allowing the daughters of my friends and breth- 
ren to meet a few select friends at my house. 

Fifth. I am grieved with him for using language in a 
speech before the young ladies, during school hours, calcu- 
lated to prejudice their minds against me, which he should 
either prove, or withdraw as publicly as made. 

Sixth. He has grieved me as a member of the Faculty 
in violating the solemn promise we made to the Board of 
Trustees not to interfere with the management of the 
respective departments committed to our care. He has thus 
interfered in vindicating and endorsing the course of Judge 



Db. Rtjftts C. Btjkleson. 217 

Wheeler in his resignation as head of the law department of 
Baylor University, and opening a law school in Brenham. 
Respectfully submitted, 

RuETTS C. BlIKLESON. 

President Burleson and Prof. Clark read their charges 
before the board, introduced evidence, and made arguments 
in support of each allegation. When they had concluded the 
presentation of their cases, the Trustees considered the griev- 
ances seriatim, Dr. Burleson's being taken up first. 

The record shows no disposal of charges 1 and 2 made 
by Dr. Burleson, as consideration commenced with charge 3, 
and by a unanimous vote advised Prof. Clark to withdraw the 
letter altogether. 

Charge fourth was explained in a manner satisfactory to 
the President and Board. 

Charge fifth was sustained so far as the fact that Prof. 
Clark did address the female department on the subject of his 
differences with Dr. Burleson, but not sustained as to the 
prejudicial effect against the male department. 

Charge sixth was disposed of by the adoption of the 
following resolution : 

Resolved, By the Board of Trustees of Baylor University, 
That we disapprove of the letter written by Prof. Clark on 
the subject of the Law School, but not attributing to him any 
design of reflecting upon the Faculty of the male department, 
as he candidly affirmed to us. 

Prof. Clark's grievances were then considered in the same 
way. 

Charge first is sustained, and the Trustees entered their 
disapproval of President Burleson introducing his school 
troubles in a religious meeting. 

Charge second was taken up, and, while it was sustained, 
the Board voted that they did not believe Dr. Burleson's con- 
duct was intentional. 

Charge third, the record shows, was passed by the Board 
without action. 

Charge fourth was sustained, and the Board expressed 
its disapprobation of President Burleson's remarks about the 
female department. 



218 The Life and Wkitings of 

Charge fifth was sustained, and the Board censured Presi- 
dent Burleson for refusing to submit his differences with Prof. 
Clark to the arbitration of mutual friends. 

Charge sixth was not sustained bj the Board, because it 
appeared to be groundless. 

Having taken action on the grievances submitted by the 
heads of the two departments of the University, the Board 
adjourned, and reconvened on Sunday morning, July 1st, 
when the following resolutions were adopted by a unanimous 
vote : 

Whereas, We have examined the above charges sub- 
mitted by President "R-. C. Burleson and Prof. Horace Clark, 
and passed on the same according to their respective merits, 
after taking the testimony and hearing the defense in each 
case; now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, By the Board of Trustees of Baylor Univer- 
sity, in special session assembled, That Prof. H. Clark be 
requested to withdraw the letter addressed by him to Presi- 
dent Burleson, and that the withdrawal of said letter will be 
regarded as an honorable and satisfactory settlement of all the 
matter between them growing out of said letter, and that the 
original letter be destroyed. 

Resolved, Second, That in examining the difficulties 
between the above named brethren, while we have felt it to 
be our duty to sustain some of the charges, we say there were 
extenuating circumstances in all the cases, and none of them 
have been regarded by us of such magnitude as to involve the 
character or reputation of either, after explained, and, there- 
fore, in the adjustment we here propose to the parties, we do 
not regard either, in accepting the settlement, as compro- 
mising his honor as Christian and gentleman. 

Resolved, Third, That we have seen nothing in the exam- 
ination of the above named difficulties more dangerous and 
alarming in its bearing and influence, than the introduction 
of these troubles among the students of each department 
(while we have nothing serious to consider in what has already 
passed) we most positively determine, if for the future, the 
heads of the Faculty of either department, shall aid in, or give 
countenance to, or shall allow unnoticed or uncorrected, any 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 219 

demonstration of disrespect, of one of the departments toward 
the other, the Faculty or students, it will be regarded by the 
Board as a high offense, and will require the highest penalty 
known to our charter or by-laws. 

Resolved, Fourth, As we have heard the complaints of 
each of our brethren and their defenses, and as we have impar- 
tially, as we think, decided on the adjustment, we require of 
the parties themselves, or through some friends, the better to 
quiet their friends and the public, and make known to the 
world the honorable adjustment of their difficulties, to use the 
first public opportunity to v state, that they agree to, and will 
abide by the settlement of these troubles by the Trustees, and 
request their respective friends to act out, and make the same 
known generally. 

Resolved, Fifth, That it needs no argument to show that 
the difficulties, as heretofore existing, are ruinous to our 
beloved institution, and as the guardians of the same it is our 
solemn conclusion that further labor with the heads of our 
departments and Faculty, to reconcile their variances, is 
regarded by us as useless, and except a radical change occurs 
in the future, prompt and extreme means will be adopted by 
us toward the parties in fault. We give notice of this, not as 
a threat, or desiring to be disrespectful to our President, Prin- 
cipal or Faculty, but to let them know that our patience with 
their petty difficulties is exhausted, and for the future no com- 
promise will be required, but we shall, with the fear of God 
before our eyes, promptly apply a remedy, though it should 
sever the ties that connect us together, from the President to 
the last Professor, if they should persist in this conduct. 

Co-operation and peace we must have between our depart- 
ments, and without any additional or special law for future 
action, an infraction of those two principles will be sufficient 
cause for prompt action by this Board. 

Resolved, Sixth, That we regard this adjustment as hon- 
orable and reasonable to all parties concerned, and, therefore, 
request the President, Principal and Professors to signify to 
this Board their acceptance of the same and willingness to 
unite their efforts with ours for the promotion of peace, co-op- 
eration and the advancement of the welfare of the school, in 



220 The Life and Writings of 

building it up in all its departments, to our mutual gratification 
and their profit and credit. 

Resolved, Seventh, That we request the President of this 
Board, Eev. Hosea Garrett, to give public notice through the 
"Texas Baptist' 7 of the adjustment of all our troubles so soon 
as proper to do so. 

After this action was taken on the charges, and these 
resolutions adopted embodying the future policy of the Board, 
President Burleson, Professor Clark, Prof. R. B. Burleson, 
Dr. D. R. Wallace, O. H. Leland and Prof. Willrick, mem- 
bers of the Faculty of both the male and female departments, 
were sent for, and responded promptly. 

The findings of the Board under each specific head, as 
well as the preamble and resolutions adopted as a basis of the 
settlement of the controversies, were read, and the Faculty 
called on to state whether they accepted or rejected the conclu- 
sions and decisions. 

All gave their full approval to the decisions of the Board, 
and also to the declarations of future policy contained in the 
resolutions. 

The Trustees entertained the highest regard for President 
Burleson and his brilliant Faculty, and for Prof. Clark and 
his corps of splendid assistants. They appreciated the fact 
that, without exception, they possessed a high order of ability 
as educators, and were anxious to retain all of them in their 
positions. The action taken, therefore, was cautious, conserv- 
ative and careful, and while it may be characterized as a com- 
promise course, yet it was impartial and a just treatment of 
both men and measures, persons and propositions. 

They, therefore, felt, since their conclusions met the 
hearty acquiescence of the Faculty in both departments, that 
bickerings and strife among them were forever at an end. 

Indeed, this was the case, so far as the University was 
directly responsible or concerned. They felt hopeful and 
cheerful under the circumstances, and the prospect for suc- 
cess was never more rosy or encouraging. Harmony and good 
will prevailed, and plans for future operations were rapidly 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 



221 



formulated by the Board, in which President Burleson and all 
the teachers heartily and earnestly co-operated. 

These difficulties unfortunately, however, had passed 
beyond the control of the original principals, and were soon to 
be transferred to a new theater of action, and a dreadful day of 
doom and darkness was impending. 




222 The Life and Writings of 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



Controversy Between President Burleson and Prof. 
Clark Passes Beyond Their Control — Taken Up by 
Friends — Permeates the Entire Community — Publi- 
cation of a Pamphlet Precipitates a Church Trial — 
Exciting- Scenes — A Close Vote — General Houston 
Present — Meeting Between General Houston and 
Dr. Burleson — Revival in the Independence Church 
— Dr. Burleson's Triumph — Letters of the Faculty 
and Senior Class Sustaining Him — General Houston 
Pledges Dr. Burleson His Undying Devotion — Hous- 
ton's Deposition by the Texas Legislature — Visits 
Independence to Confer "With His Friend, Dr. 
Burleson. 



H 



ISTORY does not afford a more striking example of 
the necessity of prudence in public utterances and 
conduct than the unfortunate differences between 
President Burleson and Prof. Clark. The good or evil effects 
of public expressions does not end when the occasion which 
called them forth passes, but they live on, and a harvest is 
reaped by somebody, at some time. In the spiritual and intel- 
lectual affairs of life, as well as the physical, we "sow the wind 
and reap the whirlwind," or we sow fitly spoken words of gen- 
tleness and discretion and reap a harvest of love, and make 
present and future generations the legatee of beneficence. 

This crimination and recrimination had been going on 
for years, and both parties to the controversy had been guilty 
of some measure of indiscretion and imprudence, which was 
not naturally a characteristic of either. 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 223 

The adjustment made by the Board of Trustees was satis- 
factory to the parties directly concerned ; but not so with their 
friends. The affair had now permeated the entire commun- 
ity, and every citizen of Independence was arrayed as a 
bitter partisan on one side or the other. Dr. Burleson and 
Prof. Clark made diligent efforts to pacify the community, be 
it said to their credit, but all such were fruitless and vain. 

Good men who had been champions of the cause of either 
Dr. Burleson or Prof. Clark, seeing the evil trend of affairs, 
and the disastrous results and consequences, unless oil was 
poured on the troubled waters, abandoned all compromising 
and entangling alliances, assumed positions of neutrality, and 
made a personal, man-to-man canvass of the entire community 
on missions of peace. The public mind was so inflamed that 
nothing was accomplished. 

Men armed themselves, and appearances indicated that 
the affair would be settled vi et arm-is. 

At this juncture a pamphlet was published, signed by A. 
E. Lipscomb, a member of the Burleson following, attacking 
the friends of Prof. Clark with much vehemence. 

The publication of this pamphlet rekindled the bitter- 
ness of both sides, and the charges made, and the spirit mani- 
fested, were denounced as unchristian by the Clark following, 
and resulted in a church trial, which was precipitated by a 
motion to expel Mr. Lipscomb from the church, made at a 
conference held soon after the publication appeared. He was 
cited to appear at the bar of the church to show cause why the 
motion should not prevail, and a meeting was fixed to hear his 
vindication. 

On the occasion of this hearing, the friends of Dr. Burle- 
son and Prof. Clark were marshalled to a man, the first named 
in defense of Mr. Lipscomb, the latter to support the motion; 
not only the members of the church were present, but citizens 
of the community for miles around. 

During the progress of this trial, Dr. Burleson and Prof. 
Clark both became wrought up, lost self-control, and the 
pacificatory work of the Trustees, a month before, was com- 
pletely undone. 

Prom a Christian point of view, it was a most unusual 
spectacle. Trouble was expected, and it is recorded with 



224 The Life and Writings of 

sincere regret that men went to the church armed. The 
building was crowded to the last limit of its capacity. Eev. 
M. Ross, pastor of the church, acted as Moderator. He was 
an Englishman, a great preacher, smooth face, sixty-four 
years old, with snow-white hair. Through all the dissension 
he had preserved his neutrality, and his conduct and rulings 
on this occasion were impartial, by the testimony of nearly all 
present. 

The conference was formally opened, and the motion to 
withdraw fellowship from Mr. Lipscomb called up. It was 
the living, burning issue, and both sides realized that their 
standing depended upon its adoption or rejection, Neither 
was confident of its strength, and resort to parliamentary tac- 
tics was made as far as possible to determine this fact, and 
dilatory proceedings were the order. The Clark party finally 
reached the conclusion that they were superior in voting 
strength, but the margin was so small that they hesitated to 
insist on a vote. The crisis was now supreme and the sup- 
pressed excitement intense. Whatever was suggested by one 
party was promptly rejected by the other. 

Dr. Burleson believed in disposing of questions and issues 
directly; Prof. Clark was a tactician and parliamentarian. He 
wanted a vote taken, and, knowing it would be opposed if he 
suggested it, he moved the postponement of the matter to a 
future meeting. The Burleson party construed this motion as 
an admission of weakness, opposed it with all the force they 
could bring to bear, and the motion to postpone was defeated 
by a small majority, which gave them much confidence in 
their strength. The Clark men purposely permitted this 
defeat. 

The Moderator then ordered the conference to proceed 
on the motion to withdraw fellowship from Mr. Lipscomb. 

The proceedings now assumed an aspect of profound 
solemnity; all was quiet and orderly, and it was conceded that 
Lipscomb had achieved a victory. 

The ballot on the motion to expel was taken. The tally 
sheet by the tellers was carefully and fairly kept. The result 
was handed to the Moderator, who arose with much dignity to 
announce the vote. The silence of the excited audience can 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 225 

be compared to nothing but the stillness of death. Every 
eye and expectant mind was directed toward the pulpit. 

When the Moderator announced that Mr. Lipscomb stood 
expelled from the Independence Church by a majority of five 
votes, on a charge of unchristian conduct, pandemonium 
reigned; all were instantly on their feet; some entering pro- 
tests and challenging the vote; others clapping hands and 
exulting over the victory. 

Dr. Burleson was so confident that the ballot would be 
favorable to his contention that he was unnerved and lost his 
balance by the result. He arose in his place, walked delib- 
erately to the rostrum, thrust his finger into the face of the 
Moderator, and said : 

"You have been guilty of unfairness, and have used the 
power of your official position to adopt this motion, and 
nothing but your gray hairs protect you from the punishment 
you so justly deserve. 77 

Moderator Ross shook with emotion, but made no kind 
of reply. He saw that the nervous tension of the people had 
been wrought to such a point that the sooner they dispersed 
the better, and adjourned the meeting without the usual 
ceremony and benediction. 

General Sam Houston, who was a member of the church, 
was present at this meeting, and witnessed the proceedings 
with surprise and astonishment. Dr. Burleson had baptized 
him in 1854, and he was a loyal Burleson man in this long and 
unfortunate controversy. 

That evening General Houston was sitting in the law 
office of his friend, T. W. Morriss, Esq., who was also a friend 
of Dr. Burleson, but was one of a very few in the community, 
and possibly the only man, who had not espoused the cause 
of one of the two leaders in the dispute. General Houston 
was chatting pleasantly with Judge Morriss, when Dr. Burle- 
son came in, and offered the General his hand. He arose, 
crossed his arms behind him, and said : 

"Brother Burleson, I served as Governor of Tennessee 
when that State was new, and have witnessed some fiery scenes 
among the people during their legislative proceedings. I 
have spent many months among the Cherokee Indians, and 

15 



226 The Life and "Writings of 

have seen many passionate outbursts when the council of these 
people was in session. I have been a member of the United 
States Congress during some of the most turbulent sessions of 
that body ever held. I was Commander-in-Chief of the army 
of Texas, and served through the campaign that resulted in 
the establishment of the liberty of the people. After the 
organization of the Republic, I filled the Presidency for two 
years, and saw the Congress in some of its stormiest sessions. 
When Texas went into the Union and became a State, I was 
twice elected Governor, and witnessed many discourtesies in 
debate when these early Legislatures were in session. 

"But during all my public life I have never seen such 
improprieties in the proceedings of any body, as you were 
guilty of this morning in the Baptist Church, when you shook 
your finger in Bro. Boss' face, charged him with dishonorable 
conduct, and told him that nothing but his gray hairs pro- 
tected him from personal violence. You baptized me in 
Rocky Creek in 1854, and in your company I have spent 
many happy hours in social and spiritual enjoyment. Far 
many years I have been your devoted friend. But, Brother 
Burleson, after witnessing your conduct this morning, you 
must excuse me, but I cannot, I will not, take your hand until 
convinced that you have sincerely repented." 

Dr. Burleson was not prepared for this rebuke, coming 
as it did from a man with whom he had for years sustained the 
most cordial and affectionate relations. He preserved his 
equanimity, however, bowed himself out of the office and 
went to his home. 

During the next few weeks the excitement in the com- 
munity subsided to some extent and the good nature of the 
people was restored. 

Rev. James H. Stribbling, a former student of Baylor 
University, came to Independence to conduct a protracted 
meeting, during which Dr. Burleson had his triumphs. The 
interest in the meeting did not grow as Dr. Stribbling, the 
pastor, Rev. M. Ross, and other members of the church had 
expected and desired. All the services seemed to be dead 
formality and nobody moved. After it had progressed for 
nearly a week, Dr. Stribbling called on Dr. Burleson to lead 



Dr. Rufus C. Burlesox. 227 

in prayer during one of the services. In extending the 
request for Dr. Burleson to pray, the preacher used this 
language : 

"Brethren, this meeting is not progressing as I, and I 
trust you all had prayed. We are not right before God, or 
He would send us a blessing. Let us all get down on our 
knees, and join with Brother Burleson in an earnest prayer 
that God will remove all obstacles in the way, and send us 
down from Heaven such a blessing as our souls are not able 
to contain. Let us pray." 

Instantly almost all the Christians in the house knelt 
down. All was quiet. Dr. Burleson was attired in a black 
frock coat, black trousers, black silk plush vest, standing collar 
and white stock cravat. He arose from his place in the 
audience and said : 

"If at any time in my life I have offended any creature 
of God, either man or beast, by thought, word or deed, I here 
and now humbly crave God's forgiveness, and ask their pardon. 
Bro. Stribbling, you have asked me to kneel in prayer. This 
I cannot do. I feel like prostrating myself in the dust of the 
earth, and ask Him to take everything away that hinders, or 
in any way interferes with the progress of this meeting." 

With these words he slowly walked from his seat to the 
aisle, deliberately threw himself upon his stomach, supported 
his face with his hands, and poured out his soul to God for a 
blessing on all he had offended, for the spirit of peace and love, 
and that everything that stood in the way of the success of 
that meeting might be removed. This prayer was the most 
soulful ever heard. The stone walls were almost melted. It 
reached the very Throne, and moved the Almighty God Him- 
self. The windows and doors of heaven were thrown wide 
open, and copious showers of Divine blessings descended upon 
that town, that had been torn and tossed on the waves of in- 
ternal strife for years. 

After the service was over Dr. Ross and others gave Dr. 
Burleson their hands as a token of their complete reconcilia- 
tion. General Houston approached him and remarked: 
"Brother Burleson, here is my hand. Hold it while life lasts. 
Here is my heart; it will love you with its last pulsation." 



228 The Life and Writings of 

This was not Dr. Burleson's only triumph. . Others were 
to follow. 

Washington was hounded and pursued during the closing 
years of the Revolution of 1776, but by his courage and 
capacity triumphed over his enemies. Gladstone was thrice 
hurled from the British Premiership, but lived to see his poli- 
cies and character vindicated by the English people. Houston 
was deposed in 1861, and left the capital overwhelmed with 
mortification because of a variance between himself and the 
Legislature, but his foresight and wisdom is now seen and 
admitted, and to-day he occupies the highest place in the esti- 
mation of the people of Texas, and the warmest place in their 
hearts. 

Like these patriots and heroes, Dr. Burleson had been 
discredited by his church, and it may be said also by the Board 
of Trustees of Baylor University, but his overtowering 
personality and character enabled him to overcome much of 
this opposition. 

By those with whom he had been most intimately thrown 
he was warmly sustained. This is shown by the following 
communications, which were placed in his hands when he 
tendered his resignation as President in June, 1861 : 

Articles of Agreement. 

We, the President and Professors of the Male Depart- 
ment of Baylor University, enter into the following articles of 
agreement. 

1st. We pledge ourselves to exert our utmost ability to 
build up and sustain a great literary institution in Texas. 

2d. To secure this noble end, we will do all in our 
power to promote the pecuniary, social and professional interest 
and happiness of each other. 

3d. All questions of mutual interest or difference to be 
decided according to the will of a majority. 

4th. The basis of our co-operation shall be our present 
relations as professors, until otherwise ordered by the majority. 

5th. It is distinctly understood that in all our inter- 
course with each other, as well as all others, we are to act on 
the highest principles of candor, honesty and patriotism. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 229 

6th. This agreement to last five years, unless dissolved 
by mutual consent, after three months' notice has been given. 

(Signed) RUFUS C. BURLESON, 

RICHARD B. BURLESON, 
DAVID R, WALLACE, 
OSCAR H. LELAND, 
GEORGE W. WILLRICK 

Request Erom the Senior Class. 

To the Faculty, Male Department of Baylor University : 

In consequence of your late action in notifying the Trus- 
tees of Baylor University that you would resign your respect- 
ive positions as Professors in said institution at the close of the 
present term, and in consideration of the patent fact that what- 
ever of educational advantages we have enjoyed while stu- 
dents of Baylor University have been derived from your 
arduous and disinterested labors in our behalf, and, whereas, 
the relations which have so pleasantly existed between us, as 
Professors and pupils, should not be severed by your removal 
from this institution, and that the University with which you 
in future will be connected should be our Alma Mater; 
therefore, 

Resolved, By the senior class of Baylor University, That 
we prefer receiving our diplomas from you, when you shall 
have established yourselves in Waco University, and do not 
wish to graduate at the close of the present term as students 
of Baylor University. 

(Signed) M. M. VANDERHURST, 
WILLIS B. DARBY, 
BOLING ELDRIDGE, 
JOHN C. WATSON, 
MARK A.. KELTON, 
JAMES L. BOWERS, 
HENRY E. PAHL. 

That Dr. Burleson's triumph over General Houston was 
complete, and that the warmest personal relations were 



230 The Life and Writings of 

restored, is shown by the fact that when General Houston was 
deposed as Governor of Texas, in 1861, he went to Indepen- 
dence expressly to see Dr. Burleson, and seek his counsel and 
advice as to the wisest and best course for him to pursue. 

These great Texans discussed the ordinance of secession, 
the secession convention, the probable resort to arms that 
would be had by the States, and the result of the impending 
conflict. Together these brothers, friends and patriots, 
kneeled under the boughs of a wide-spreading live oak, and 
prayed to the God of nations for guidance and direction, for 
themselves and their people. When they arose General Hous- 
ton gave Dr. Burleson a parting hand, and said, with tearful 
eyes : "Brother Burleson, let us continue to pray and hope 
for the best, but I fear all is lost." 

It has been remarked that the disagreements in the Fac- 
ulty of Baylor University did not change the geography of 
Texas, but did perceptibly affect its history. This is candidly 
believed, confidently asserted, and can be clearly shown. 

In 1861 there were twenty Baptist churches in Washing- 
ton County, and fully as many of other evangelical denomina- 
tions. The county ranked among the first in wealth and pop- 
ulation, and was increasing rapidly in both. As an educa- 
tional center the county had neither a competitor or rival. 
Hundreds of wealthy families had settled in the county on 
account of the religious advantages and educational facilities 
offered. 

What is said of Washington County may be said also of 
Burleson, Grimes, Montgomery, Waller, Austin, Fayette, 
Colorado and many other counties convenient and adjacent. 
Baylor University was the nucleus around which the people 
in these counties rallied, and it was the strong, cohesive force 
that held them together. The resignation of Dr. Burleson 
and Faculty in June, 1861, marks the decline and death of 
Baylor University at- Independence, which marks in turn the 
decline of South Texas, which meant, in the light of late de- 
velopments, the growth and increase, in spiritual and material 
affairs of North and Central Texas, especially the latter. 

Thousands of families moved from the twenty counties 
around the school at Independence, and settled at convenient 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 231 

distances from the University at Waco. As a result the 
Baptist, and American population within a radius of one 
hundred miles of Waco, has octupled in forty years, while the 
same classes of society in Washington county has decreased in 
the same proportion, and in some other counties contiguous 
have passed out almost altogether. Washington county has 
now twenty Lutheran churches with the numerical strength 
and moral influence of Lutheranism increasing every year. 

We make no sort of pretension to ability in reading 
heavenly omens, nor to power to unravel signs, and apply them 
to purely mundane affairs.^ It is not even assumed in these 
ages of the world, that Grod uses displays of His might in the 
phenomena of nature to show His approval, or disapproval of 
human conduct. Paul and Peter, however, saw signs, had vis- 
ions, and described celestial wonders from terrestial positions. 
Ancient Babylon, Jerusalem, Sodom and G-omorrah received 
warnings of their destruction and doom from an angry God, 
failing to heed which they were removed from the earth, and 
in the case of some the destruction is so complete that their 
precise location can not be determined. 

During the years that the favored town of Independence 
was passing through this unseemly tumult, there was a most 
remarkable display of heavenly phenomena. 

A great comet came out of the northern heavens. It 
had a resplendant appendage, estimated by astronomers to 
be one million miles long. It curved with indescribable grace 
and presented the form of a cavalryman's saber with the hilt 
hanging west. It whirled and described an immense circle 
around the sun, and disappeared, after remaining visible for 
weeks, in the same direction from which it came, and most 
remarkable to say, pushing its tail in front. 

The following year, (1860), there was a grand auroral 
display in the northern heavens. At first a faint reddish 
tinge diffused itself over that portion of the sky. The col- 
oring became more distinct, until the heavens looked as if 
they had received a coating of blood. Through this mass, a 
long silvery prominence shot up, from the base to its zenith. 



(1) We are indebted to Judge T. W. Morriss for these fact?, who, with other per- 
sons now living vouch for their truthfulness. 



232 The Life and Writings of 

The redness extended to the northeast, sprayed and streaked 
with silvery streams, shooting to the uppermost limit in many 
places. Then the whole brilliant phenomena would descend 
like a great gorgeous portiere to the very edge of the horizon. 
Remaining for only a moment, it would suddenly start and 
shoot upward with the velocity of lightning. Instantly the 
naming red spectacle would become bisected, one half rolling 
literally to the east, the other sweeping and swooping west- 
ward. 

Reuniting, the entire auroral mass would swing and whirl 
from east to west, like the pendulum of a great clock. The 
colors were constantly and continually changing, from light 
to deepest crimson, now threaded with somber streams of 
silver. 

Now it settled, became steady, and finally disappeared 
like a dissolving view, from human sight. 

"We do not wish to be understood as maintaining, that the 
great comet, shaped so like a warrior's saber, was the sword 
of Damocles hung by the Almighty One, over the town of 
Independence as a warning that the strife among the people 
must cease, but it looks that way; and more, it looks like the 
hair by which the sword of Damocles was suspended was cut, 
and it descended with destructive avenging might. 

We do not assume, nor attempt to maintain, that the 
auroral display, when it parted, was intended to represent the 
sundered condition of the town, church and University, and 
when it became reunited to teach the beauty of harmony and 
reunion of discordant elements; nor do we say when it dis- 
appeared it was typical of the destruction that would follow 
unless peace, and unity of spirit prevailed; though it looks 
that way. !N~° deductions are drawn, and no applications are 
made. We merely recite the facts. 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 233 



CHAPTER XXVII 



Resigns the Presidency of Baylor University at Inde- 
pendence — Letter to the Board of Trustees — 
Exalted Spirit Manifested by Dr. Burleson in Retir- 
ing from the School — Summary of Ten Years' Work 
at Independence. 



HE controversies in the school and church at Inde- 
pendence resulted as was to be expected in Doctor 
Burleson tendering his resignation as President of 
Baylor University. This has already been referred to; with 
a view of presenting his resignation formally he addressed the 
following letter to the President of the Board. In the face, 
and in the very atmosphere where, for nearly ten years Dr. 
Burleson had encountered so many obstacles in his efforts to 
build a University to which the Baptists of Texas could point 
with pride, the letter breathes a spirit of nobleness and Chris- 
tian forbearance, worthy of preservation in the holiest archives 
of earth: 

Baylor University, Independence, Texas, 
May 15th, 1861. 
Rev. Hosea Garrett, President Board of Trustees, Chappell 

Hill, Texas : 

Dear Brother : There are a great many items of busi- 
ness to be settled between your Board and our Faculty prepar- 
atory to our final separation. Please inform us whether we 
shall confer with the whole Board, or a special committee. 
Also let us know whether a formal presentation of our resigna- 
tions at this time will facilitate your business. 



234 The Life and Writings of 

We are anxious to co-operate with you and the Board in 
securing an amiable dissolution of the intimate relations which 
have so long existed, and in whatever way we can promote the 
great interest of education under Baptist auspices in Texas. 

We need not disguise the fact that in our present and 
future relations great magnanimity of soul, and Christian for- 
bearance and firmness will be required to prevent alienations, 
and recriminations, which will only wound Christ in the house 
of His friends. 

I shall avoid no sacrifice to prevent this result. 

We earnestly desire peace and fraternity and co-opera- 
tion in promoting the great interest of our dear Redeemer's 
cause in Texas. 

For yourself and the majority of the Board we have the 
deepest affection and kindest remembrance; and for those 
from whom we have differed we entertain no unkind feeling, 
and wish the mantle of love to be thrown over all our differ- 
ences. 

Yours ever and affectionately, 

KTJFUS C. BURLESON. 

At a meeting of the Board held at Independence June 
28 th, 1861, the resignations of President Burleson and other 
members of the Faculty were formally presented and accepted, 
and his connection with the University at that place ended. 

A resume of the result of his ten years' work is given. 
In some instances the reports and data from which this infor- 
mation is compiled are meagre and hence the figures may not 
be exact, but may be taken as reliable approximations. Again, 
since Dr. Burleson's immediate control extended only over the 
Male Department of Baylor University, the figures and facts 
for this Department only are given. 

1st. The only buildings on the campus in 1851, was a 
two story stone structure 40x60 feet. In 1861, a two story 
stone building 40x80 had been added and the first story of the 
main University building 56x112 finished. 

Three wooden buildings 16x32 feet for recitation rooms 
had been also added to the college buildings proper, making 
twelve large rooms, one chapel, and one ample hall. A three 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 235 

story boarding house was completed with 25 rooms, with a 
two story annex with 8 rooms, a total of 33. 

2nd. In 1851 there was not the semblance of a library, 
and no chemical and scientific apparatus. In 1861 the library 
contained 2 500 'volumes, and there was a supply of apparatus 
amply sufficient for chemical and philosophical experiments 
and demonstrations. 

3rd. The school opened September 1st, 1851, with 27 
students in the Male Department, and 25 in the Female. In 
1861 there were 280 students in Male Department and 200 
in the Female. 

4th. In 1851 the receipts including $336.00 interest on 
endowment notes, were approximately $2,000.00. In 1861, 
President Burleson reported the receipts to the Trustees to be 
$7,467.79. 

5th. In 1851, Baylor University was an unknown 
school, an uncertain educational enterprise, trembling in the 
throes of doubt. In 1861, it was known in every state in the 
Union, and catalogued by the London Times among the lead- 
ing institutions of learning in America. 

It is not claimed that Dr. Burleson is entitled to all the 
credit for this marvelous growth and development of Baylor 
University. The Board of Trustees during this period of the 
school's history was composed of : 

Rev. ITosea Garrett, Nelson Kavanaugh, Esqr.; Hon. 
Albert G. Haynes, Judge R. E. B. Baylor, Gov. A. C. Horton, 
E. G. Mays, Esqr. ; J. L. Farquhar, Esqr. ; Gol. R. B. Jarman, 
T. J. Jackson, Esqr.; Dr. G. W. Graves, Rev. J. W. D. 
Creath, Rev. J. G. Thomas, Gol. Aaron Shannon, Col. J. S. 
Lester, Gen. J. W. Barnes, Judge Abner S. Lipscomb, Dr. 
George W. Baines. 

And while there were honest differences between the 
Trustees and President as to methods, they rendered him val- 
uable aid. 

It is, however, asserted that he is entitled to the honor in 
the same sense that a General who commands an army is en- 
titled to the credit of achieving a brilliant victory in battle. 



236 The Life and Writings of 



CHAPTER XXVIII. 



Union Association Mother of the Convention — Appoints 
a Central Committee — Meeting Called — Convention 
Organized September 8th, 1848 at Anderson — List 
of Churches and Delegates — Dr. H. L. Graves First 
President — Rufus C. Burleson First Corresponding 
Secretary — Other Officers — Constitution — Report 
of Committee on Establishing a Paper — Advise that 
Paper be Established, but Convention to Assume no 
Financial Responsibility — Character and Work of 
Convention, and its Influence on the People of 
Texas. 



*| HE Union Baptist Association is not only ihe mother 
=s— of the Texas Baptist Education Society, Baylor 
^^°1 University, Baylor Female College and nearly one 
hundred Baptist associations in the State, but it has also the 
distinction of being the mother of the Baptist General Con- 
vention of Texas. 

It has been said that the Baptist pioneers of the State 
were impulsive, deliberated in a whirl, and reached conclu- 
sions hastily. They had no time to dally or delay, they were 
pressed by the exigencies of the times, and acted with prompt^- 
ness and courage, but not in haste. Every important step and 
enterprise was carefully, cautiously and conservatively con- 
sidered. They inaugurated many enterprises to meet transient 
conditions, a temporary want ; these have all perished with the 
necessity which called them forth. 

When, however, they planned for the future, they acted 
with caution, displayed unmatched wisdom, and laid founda- 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 237 

tions unaffected by the blasts of nearly three-quarters of a 
century. Surely these early builders for God, in the trackless 
Texas forests, were in the mind of John, the Divine, when he 
wrote, "Yea saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their 
labors; and their works do follow them." 

But let the original M. S. record of the Union Baptist 
Association itself be consulted, to see whether they acted has 
tily, or without due deliberation in the matter of organizing 
the Baptist State Convention, which was, and is beyond ques- 
tion, the most potent factor for good of any religious organiza- 
tion in the state. 

At a meeting of the association held in Houston, com- 
mencing September the 30th, and ending October the 4th, 
1847, the following resolution was introduced by R. S. Blount 
and adopted: "Resolved, That the corresponding secretary 
be, and is hereby instructed to correspond with the several 
associations in the State, and with as many of the churches 
as it is convenient, in order to ( ascertain their views and wishes 
in regard to the formation of a Baptist State Convention." 

"Resolved, That this association appoint a central com- 
mittee of correspondence composed of H. L. Graves, H. Gar- 
rett, Richard Ellis, P. B. Chandler, W. M. Tryon, J. W. D. 
Creath, A. G. Haynes, J. L. Farquhar and J. G. Thomas, 
whose duty it shall be to receive from the corresponding secre- 
tary, the information that he may obtain, and in the event that 
a majority of the churches so corresponded with, shall be in 
favor of forming a convention, then it shall be the duty of 
the said central committee, to appoint a place and time of 
meeting, and unite with the churches favorable thereto, to 
send delegates to the said place of meeting, in order to organize 
a state convention." 

Dr. Henry L. Graves, the corresponding secretary, com- 
municated with the associations and churches then existing in 
the state, which correspondence he arranged in businesslike 
form, and delivered to the central committee. 

The record does not state where or when, but the central 
committee met, went over the letters carefully, in which the 
associations and churches had expressed themselves on the 
subject, and decided that the time had come in the history 
of Texas Baptists for the formation of a body less circum- 



238 The Life and Writings of 

scribed in its operations than associations, and to organize a 
convention with state wide jurisdiction. The Antioch Church 
at Anderson, Grimes county, was selected by the committee as 
the most central and suitable place for holding the meeting, 
and September 8th, 1848, the most desirable time. 

The action of the central committee was communicated 
by the corresponding secretary to the associations and churches, 
by private letters and publication in the very few papers in the 
State. 

At the time designated, September 8th, 1848, and at the 
place specified, Anderson, Grimes county, the delegates from 
the churches assembled, and at 9 o'clock proceeded to organize 
the Baptist State Convention. 

Judged by results, the work of that autumn morning is 
the most memorable in the brilliant history of Texas Baptists, 
and those who took part in it, are worthy of undying glory in 
this world, and immortality in the next. There are few persons 
or places, in all the geographical limits of Texas that have 
not been plainly, palpably, perceptibly and powerfully effected 
by it; and in future ages, where is the person or place in all 
Texas, that will not be moved to higher plains of social, re- 
ligious and civil excellence, and living, under the influence of 
this stalwart ecclesiastical body, whether they be Baptist, or 
even Christians of any distinction, or not. 

In its vigorous existence for more than a half century 
in Texas, its influence has permeated the pulpit, moved min- 
isters, cultivated Christianity, made homes happier, politics 
purer, society less sordid, and commerce cleaner. 

So far as can be now determined, at the time the con- 
vention was formed, there were less than a half dozen asso- 
ciations in Texas, and only thirty-four churches, with an 
aggregate membership of about 950. Of these twenty-three 
churches sent delegates. The associations were not repre- 
sented; unless Z. !N". Morrell and Z. "Werley who accepted 
seats in the convention as visitors, represented associations. 

Be v. Z. "N. Morrell by invitation from the central com- 
mittee, preached the introductory sermon from the text, ''Of 
the increase of His government and peace, there, shall be no 
end." 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 239 

After the sermon the delegates assembled in mass meet- 
ing; Judge K. E. B. Baylor was elected to preside, and Eev. 
J. G. Thomas, chosen secretary. The delegates present were 
requested to place their credentials on the secretary's table, 
and Reverends James Huckins and J. W. D. Creath appointed 
by the chairman to read them, and the secretary to enroll the 
names. 

The following churches were found to be represented by 
the delegates whose names are given : 

Independence. 
H. L. Graves, K. E. B. Baylor, James Huckins, J. H. 
Stribling and A. Gr. Haynes. 

Washington. 
B. B. Baxter, J. L. Farquhar and J. G. Heard. 

Dove Church. 
H. Ryan, W. A. Chance, E. J. Chance, W. G. Rowland 
and J. G. Thomas. 

Providence. — (Washington County) . 
Hosea Garrett, J. M. Hill, J. W. Brooks, W. Jackson and 
J. D. Smith. 

Houston. 
Rufus C. Burleson, R. S. Blount, E. B. Noble, D. S. 
Terry, J. N. Joiner and H. Bowles. 

Rocky Creek. 
A. M. Tandy, M. B. Bennett and B. Stribling. 

Plum Grove. 
Wm. Scallorn, G. W. Tuttle and J. Price. 

Post Oak Grove. 
J. W. D. Creath, A. McRae, J. King and 1ST. H. Davis. 

Antiooh. — (Anderson) . 

A. Buffington, 0. H. P. Hill, A. G. Perry, J. W. Barnes 
and J. M. Camp. 

Concord. 

B. F. Ellis and J. L. Ellis. 



240 The Life and Writings of 

New Years Creek. — (Brenham). 

D. Fisher, J. Allcorn, J. Clark, J. Brown and W. G. 
Veazey. 

Matagorda. 
Noah Hill, A. C. Horton, "W. Baxter and J. Yeaman. 

Bethany. 

E. Andrews, R. B. Jarman, S. S. Hosea and S. E. 
Wright. 

Gonzales. 
E. Ellis, B. Weeks, J. L. Johnson and J. Mullin. 

Austin. 
E. H. Taliaferro. 

CUERO. 

J. Stephens, D. B. Dillard and N". Burgett. 

Beadi. 
T. Davis, W. Stone, C. S. Gorbet. 

Mount Gilead. 
E. D. Heck, W. P. Darby, G. M. Buchanan, W. W. 
Buster. 

Galveston. — (First Church). 
J. F. Hillyer, Gail Borden and D. B. Morrill. 

Hamilton. 
Jesse Witt, J. Goodwin and S. Sanders. 

Wharton. 
Eli Mercer. 

La Grange. 
P. B. Chandler, J. S. Lester. 

Providence. — (Burleson County). 
Eepresented only by letter. 

The provisional organization of the Convention, was con- 
tinued until the adoption of the constitution. 

Hosea Garrett, Eufus C. Burleson, James Huckins, H. 
L. Graves, J. W. D. Creath, Eichard Ellis, P. B. Chandler, 
E. S. Blount, A. C. Horton, J. G. Thomas, to which the chair- 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 241 

man, R. E. B. Baylor, was added by motion, were appointed to 
draft a constitution. 

R. H. Taliaferro, Eoah Hill and A. G. Haynes were ap- 
pointed on a committee to prepare rules of order. 

Saturday, the 9th, at 9 o'clock the committee on constitu- 
tion of which Rufus C. Burleson was a member, submitted its 
report to the convention, which was adopted without amend- 
ment or change, as was also the report of the committee on 
rules of order. It is related that both these committees 
worked until nearly daylight, to have their reports ready to 
present to the convention at the opening of the morning ses- 
sion of the second day. 

Report of Committee on Constitution. 

1. This body shall be called the Baptist State Conven- 
tion of Texas. 

2. The objects of the Convention shall be Missionary 
and Educational, the promotion of harmony of feeling and 
concert of action in our denomination, and the organization of 
a system of operative measures, to promote the interest gen- 
erally of the Redeemer's Kingdom within this State. 

3. The convention shall be composed only, of members 
of Baptist Churches in good standing. 

4. Any member of a Baptist Church may be a member 
of the convention, upon the payment of $5.00, and will be 
entitled to life membership, upon the payment of $25.00 at 
one time. Any association, church or society, shall be en- 
titled to one representative in the convention, for every $5.00 
contributed to its funds ; and any church belonging to an asso- 
ciation shall be entitled to one representative without a con- 
tribution. 

5. All donations to the convention shall be sacredly 
appropriated in accordance with the wish of the donor. 

6. The officers of the convention shall be a president, 
three vice-presidents, a corresponding secretary, a recording 
secretary and a treasurer; who shall be annually elected by bal- 
lot, but shall hold their office until others are elected, which 
officers shall be ex-officio members of the Board of Directors. 

7. It shall be the duty of the President to preside over 
the deliberations of the convention, and Board of Directors, 

16 



242 The Life and Writings of 

and discharge such, other duties as are generally incumbent 
upon this officer in deliberative assemblies. He shall appoint 
the committees in all cases, except when the convention shall 
otherwise determine. 

In the absence of the President one of the Vice-Presi- 
dents shall preside, and the one entitled to the office shall be 
determined by seniority of age. 

8. It shall be the duty of the Corresponding Secretary 
to conduct all the correspondence of the convention, and 
Board of Directors. He shall make an annual report in writing 
of the same, embodying therein, such matter or information 
as he may deem important. 

9. It shall be the duty of the Recording Secretary to 
keep in a book suitable for the purpose, a correct record of the 
proceedings of the convention, and Board of Directors, and to 
file and keep such papers as are important to be preserved. 

10. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to take charge 
of all moneys, specialties and property belonging to the con- 
vention, and to make such disposition of the same, as he shall 
be directed by the convention or Board of Directors. He 
shall not make any disposition of money or property, without 
an order signed by the presiding officer and Recording Secre- 
tary. He shall make an annual statement in writing, to the 
convention, of his official acts, and of his receipts and disburse- 
ments. 

11. The convention shall annually elect by ballot a 
Board of Directors, of not less than twenty members, whose 
duty it shall be to act in the recess of the convention, and 
whose powers shall be the same as those of the convention; 
they shall not do anything inconsistent with the constitution, 
nor contrary to the objects and intentions of the convention. 
It shall be their duty to meet once in every four months, and 
oftener if they deem it necessary. They shall keep a record of 
their proceedings, and make an annual report of the same in 
writing to the convention. They shall make their own By- 
Laws. Eight members shall constitute a quorum to do busi- 
ness. Pive additional members of the Board of Directors, 
shall be nominated at the same meeting by the President, sub- 
ject to approval by the convention. Any life member of the 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 243 

convention may be an honorary member of the Board of 
Directors. 

The Board of Directors shall have the exclusive power of 
appointing agents and missionaries, and ordering the disburse- 
ment of money in the recess of the convention. They may call 
a meeting of the convention. 

12. The convention shall never possess a single attribute 
of power or authority over any church or association. It ab- 
solutely and forever disclaims any right of this kind, and 
hereby avowing that cardinal principle, that every church is 
sovereign and independent. 

13. The election of officers shall take place immediately 
after the convention is organized, and the Recording Secre- 
tary shall have ascertained the names and number of members 
present. The highest number of votes shall constitute a choice 
in all elections, except for President and Treasurer, in which 
elections a majority shall be necessary. 

14. ~No officer of the convention shall receive any com- 
pensation for his services. 

15. Visiting brethren may be invited to seats in the con- 
vention, and participate in its deliberations, but shall not be 
allowed to vote. 

16. The annual sessions of the convention shall be held 
on Friday before the second Sabbath in May. 

17. This constitution may be altered or amended at an 
annual session, by a vote of two-thirds of the members 
present. 

The constitution was considered seriatim, and adopted 
as the organic law of the body. And just as the constitution 
of the Republic of Texas adopted in 1836 has, with slight 
elaborations and enlargements, been re-affirmed, by every 
constitutional convention held since, so this first constitution 
of the Baptist State Convention, has been substantially re- 
adopted by that body from that time until now. 

Dr. Henry L. Graves, who it will be remembered was the 
first President of Baylor University, was elected President. 
Dr. Graves was a man of commanding personal appearance, 
deliberate' and dignified in manner, a fine parliamentarian, and 
as a presiding officer has had few equals. He filled the posi- 
tion until 1851, when he was succeeded in office by Judge R. 



244: The Life and Writings of 

E. B. Baylor. J. W. D. Creath, Hosea Garrett and James 
Huckins were Vice-Presidents; Rufus C. Burleson, Corres- 
ponding Secretary; J. G. Thomas, Recording Secretary, and 
J. W. Barnes, Treasurer. 

The President appointed committees on Education, 
Printing and Papers, Missions, Finance, Bibles and Colored 
Population, all of whom made interesting reports, that could 
be very properly inserted in this connection if this was a 
history of the convention; but since it is only intended to show 
Dr. Burleson's connection with it, only his acts are noticed. 
The committee on Printing consisted of J. W. Barnes, R. C. 
Burleson, J. F. Hillyer, Gail Borden, R. S. Blount and B. F. 
Ellis. In their report the committee discussed the value of 
the press with so much wisdom, that it is reproduced entire. 
It shows that the Baptist Fathers of Texas, were not only im- 
pressed with the importance of Missions and Education, but 
also every adjunct and accessory tending to promote the 
growth of the denomination, and development of the state. 

Committee Report. 

"It is a fact known to all of you, brethren, that among 
the individuals composing our churches, there are persons 
from almost every state in the Union. It is a fact also known 
to you, that these brethren, owing to the sparseness of our 
population, are scattered in every direction over our extensive 
territory; and it is also well known, that we have brought with 
us impressions upon our minds, durably made, of the customs 
and practices of those with whom we were formerly associated. 

"There is in this scattered mass an exceedingly valuable 
material. It is a very desirable, and highly important object, 
to bring together and concentrate this material, so as to raise 
a superstructure that will be at once beautiful and useful. 
This object, we firmly believe can be accomplished, but the 
mode or plan of effecting it, presents itself with great force to 
our prayerful consideration. With a view of accomplishing 
this object your committee would suggest, as one of the most 
efficient means, the issuing, and widely circulating, a paper 
devoted to the views and interest of our denomination. We 
believe it to be the most efficient means of producing concert 



Dr. Befits C. Burlesox. 245 

of feeling and action, and creating unison in our future pro- 
gress and benevolent effort. 

"But if these reasons are insufficient, we would urge its 
utility for the reason, that our brethren need and desire, more 
religious matter in the form of newspapers than they now 
possess, or can obtain without great inconvenience and ex- 
pense. A paper would be a valuable auxiliary to the conven- 
tion, and will also promote the interest of our Baylor Insti- 
tute. AYe believe it will be made a medium of communication 
between our ministers and missionaries throughout the State. 
Through it we can all learn of the progress and prosperity of 
our churches and associations; and what is, if possible, still 
more important, it will be the means through which our 
brethren can disseminate the great principles of our denomi- 
nation; and the better to disseminate these great truths, your 
committee are of the opinion, that if four or five of our tal- 
ented ministers in different 'parts of the State were appointed 
by this convention, or would voluntarily prepare for publica- 
tion in this paper, suitable articles upon our Doctrines and 
Practices, that great good would result from it. 

"These are only in part the reasons that might be urged, 
and which readily suggest themselves to your minds, why it 
is desirable, if possible, to have a paper for our denomination 
in this State. 

"'As regards the practicability of the measure, your com- 
mittee have not failed to possess themselves of such informa- 
tion as is highly important to the object contemplated. It is 
not considered necessary in a condensed. report of this kind, 
to enter into details and minutiae, but they are fully con- 
vinced, that if 500 paying subscribers can be obtained, a 
paper can go into successful operation. 

"'Your committee would suggest, that it is not contem- 
plated, so to connect the paper with this convention, as to incur 
any pecuniary responsibility whatever, on the part of this 
body, but that it shall be managed entirely by individual en- 
terprise. At the same time they are satisfied, that in order to 
insure success, the hearty co-operation of the friends and 
brethren of the convention are indispensable; and with that 
co-operation, our movement is onward. AVe must appeal to 
Him who guides and governs, for blessings upon this effort." 



246 The Life and "Writings of 



CHAPTER XXIX 



Dr. Burleson's Appearance in the State Convention, 
September 8th, 1848, Marks His Entrance Into Pub- 
lic Life in Texas — Report of Committee on Educa- 
tion — Eirst Baptist Paper in Texas — Mr. Burleson 
Invites the Convention to Hold Second Session in 
Houston — Convention Met May 11th, 1849 — Re- 
elected Corresponding Secretary — Mr. Burleson's 
Report as Corresponding Secretary — List of Baptist- 
Preachers in Texas in 1849 — Conditions in 1849 and 
1901 Compared — Early' Texas Heroes and Heroines 
— Their Sacrifices Make Present Conditions Pos- 
sible. 



\AT ITH ten thousand miles of railroad in Texas, upon 
— -— which hundreds of passenger trains move to every 
&*®^l point of the compass every hour; with one thousand 
daily and weekly newspapers, circulating in every community; 
with the State a perfect interlacement of telegraph and tele- 
phone wires; with the most perfect postal facilities the world 
ever saw, postage at a trifle, and stationery at a song, it would 
not be a difficult matter to introduce a man to the three mil- 
lion people of Texas in a day. In 1848, when Dr. Burleson 
came to Texas, it was a vastly different proposition. Acquaint- 
ances were formed, and distinction achieved, almost entirely 
through the slow process of personal contact. Dr. Burleson 
had been in the State since January the 5th, had confined him- 
self to pastoral work in Houston, and while he had made some 
reputation, he was very little known personally. His appear- 



Dr. Rufus C. Burlesox. 247 

ance in the convention marks his entrance into public life in 
Texas; and when he arose on the floor of the convention to 
discuss the report on education, the delegates present looked 
inquiringly at each other and many of them asked : 

"What distinguished looking young brother is that?" 

The report of the committee, in which was so strongly 
set forth the necessity of a Baptist paper in the State, was 
adopted, and the. following resolution, introduced by Gen. J. 
W. Barnes, passed : 

"'Resolved, That, concurring in the views of the forego- 
ing report, we recommend our brethren to use their best 
efforts in sustaining a. paper to be devoted to the interest of 
our denomination in Texas." 

Notwithstanding the fact that Texas Baptists thus early 
saw the importance of establishing a newspaper in the State, 
as a means of communication and stimulating denominational 
growth; and notwithstanding 7 the report of the committee, and 
subsequently the passage of the Barnes resolution, expressive 
of the sentiment of the convention on this subject, it was not 
until 1855 that the paper was started. In January of that 
year, seven years after the convention had taken action, Dr. 
G. W. Baines, one of the profoundest men in the denomina- 
tion, established the "Texas Baptist" at Anderson. Rev. J. 
B. Stiteler, W. H. Stokes and R. H. Taliaferro were asso- 
ciated with Dr. Baines in the editorial management of the 
paper, which was conducted with marked ability until publica- 
tion was suspended as a result of the war of 1861. 

Rev. James Huckins, Gov. A. C. Horton and Hon. Rich- 
ard Ellis composed the Committee on Education. The first- 
named was a leading spirit in projecting Baylor University, 
and his efforts to build it up had been ceaseless, as we have 
seen, and unremitting. Through his influence the Union 
Association had exercised fostering care over it. The new 
made friend of the school, found in Dr. Burleson, was no 
less ardent than the veteran Huckins, so he warmly supported 
the following report made by the committee : 

"Whereas, The tendency of sound learning is to increase 
moral power, and hence the future prosperity and influence 
of the Baptist denomination in Texas will greatly depend 
upon their efforts to advance the cause of education in their 



248 The Life and Writings of 

own families, and in the community generally; now, there- 
fore, be it 

''Resolved, By the Baptist State Convention, That we 
regard the efforts of the Board of Trustees of Baylor Univer- 
sity to build up and endow, and furnish that institution, so 
that it shall be able to give a thorough and polished educa- 
tion, as a subject deeply interesting to every Baptist, and that 
we commend the institution to their prayers, their affections 
and to their liberal support. 

"Resolved, That in view of the increased and still increas- 
ing demand for a holy and learned ministry in this country, 
and confiding in the success of the prayer of faith, in securing 
this blessing; and believing that the church contains within 
itself all those gifts, which, if drawn out and cultivated, would 
be equal to its demands, we do solemnly and earnestly recom- 
mend to our ministers and brethren generally that while they 
obey the injunction, 'Pray ye the Lord of the harvest to send 
forth more laborers/ that they take up at least one collection 
yearly for the purpose of aiding those young men in procuring 
a suitable education who shall give evidence of being called 
of God to preach the gospel." 

On the 3d day of September, 1848, at a regular confer- 
ence meeting of the church in Houston the following reso- 
lution was passed : 

Resolved, By the members of this church, That we do 
invite the Baptist State Convention to hold its next meeting 
at this place." 

This invitation was presented by R. C. Burleson and the 
other delegates from the Houston Church to the convention 
at Anderson, and accepted. Pastor Burleson and his church 
and congregation have the honor of entertaining the conven- 
tion in its second annual session. ~Not only the members of 
the Baptist Church, but all Houston was gratified, and the 
pastors of the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches opened 
their doors and volunteered every assistance in their power 
to render. 

The convention met in Houston on Friday, the 11th of 
May and continued in session until the 14th. 

Rev. James Huckins preached the convention sermon. 



Dr. Ritfus C. Burleson. 249 

J. "W. D. Creath was elected President, and R. S. Blount, 
a member of the Houston Church, Recording Secretary. 

The Corresponding Secretary, R. C. Burleson, reported 
the proceedings of the Board of Directors during the year as 
follows : 

"It is deeply regretted that there is so little of interest in 
our proceedings to lay before your body. 

"On the 12th of September, 1848, immediately after the 
close of the convention at Fanthorpe (Anderson), the Board 
held its first meeting, in accordance with the instructions of 
the convention, and appointed a committee, composed of 
myself, R. S. Blount and Nelson Kavanaugh, to select a col- 
porteur, for the distribution of Bibles and religious books in 
Texas. The chairman of the committee has corresponded 
with four different brethren, with reference to engaging them 
in this important work, but no one has yet been obtained. 

The second meeting of the Board was held at Indepen- 
dence on the 30th of September, same year. At this meeting 
$150 was appropriated for home missions, provided a minis- 
ter could be obtained. But no one has yet been found to 
engage as missionary of the Board. 

"The amount of money for Foreign Missions was for- 
warded to the Board at Richmond, Virginia, $11.50 to be 
devoted to Chinese Missions, and $11.50 to African Missions. 
The headquarters of the Board was located at Independence. 

"The Board ordered $175 of the funds for educational 
purposes to be paid by the Treasurer of the convention to the 
Treasurer of the Education Society. The meeting in March 
was an entire failure, and there has been no meeting of the 
Board since. 

"RITFITS C. BURLESON, 

"Corresponding Secretary." 

As chairman of the committee appointed at the first ses- 
sion of the convention to collect data as to the number of Bap- 
tists in Texas at that time, Mr. Burleson made a partial report 
of his efforts to gather reliable statistics, in which he gave a 
list of the preachers : 

Reverends J. F. Hillyer, Richard Ellis, J. J. Wells, 
Noah Hill, P. B. Chandler* A. S. Mercer, James T. Powell, 
J. N. Joiner, W. H. Vardeman, Hosea Garrett, H. L. Graves, 



250 The Life and "Writings of 

RE. B. Baylor, David Fisher, James H. Stribling, D. B. 
Morrill, Luther Seaward, B. B. Baxter, A. Buffmgton, J. W. 
D. Creath, J. Pearce, Z. K Morrell, K T. Byars, James 
Huckins, K. H. Taliaferro, A. E. Clemmons, William Pickett, 
Jesse Witt, J. M. Perry and B. C. Burleson. Total, 29. Of 
the whole number twenty were filling regular pastorates. The 
number of churches was in excess of the number of preachers, 
and for this reason, while nine ministers were not in the pasto- 
rate, many others had several charges. 

. Judge Baylor was a lawyer, in almost constant discharge 
of his duties on the bench, and only preached as he had oppor- 
tunity. Rev. Hosea Garrett was not fond of the pastorate, 
but very active and useful in every other department of 
Christian work. Dr. Henry L. Graves was giving his whole 
attention to the interest of Baylor University. Luther Sea- 
ward was giving his entire time to missionary work. Rev. 
N. T. Byars was also devoting his entire time to missionary 
wOrk. 

The number of churchless preachers was thus, therefore, 
reduced to four, who, it seems, were more interested in farm- 
ing than in preaching the gospel. 

As this list of twenty-nine ministers, reported by Corre- 
sponding Secretary Burleson as being in Texas on the 12th day 
of September, 1849, is scanned, let the reader bear in mind 
that on the fifty-second anniversary of that report, September 
the 12th, 1901, there are about four thousand, and the ratio 
of Baptist growth in the State during the past fifty-three 
years will be readily grasped. A still clearer grasp of the 
marvelous numerical increase among Baptists in Texas will be 
had if it is recalled that when the Baptist General Convention 
of Texas met in Fort Worth, November the 8th, 1901, just 
fifty-three years and two months after it was organized, there 
were three times as many delegates and visitors in attendance 
upon that body as there were members of the denomination in 
the entire State in 1848. The increase during the last half 
century will be more clearly grasped still if it be understood 
that if all the Baptists in Texas at the time Mx. Burleson 
made the report had been gathered into one congregation, it 
would just about equal the present membership of the First 
Baptist Church of Dallas or Waco. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 251 

In 1850, at a session of the convention, held in Hunts- 
ville, Secretary Burleson presented an interesting report of 
the work of the convention for the year, which is summarized 
as follows: 

"The increased interest and prosperity of the work is 
chiefly owing, under God, to the arduous and efficient labors 
of our agent. Elder J. W. D. Creath was appointed to this 
important work at our second meeting, June 15th, 1851. 
His duty was to collect funds and awaken a general interest 
for the convention, to organize new churches in destitute 
places, and aid them in securing and supporting pastors. He 
was released from his churches, on the earnest solicitation of 
the Board of Directors, and entered on his labors August 22d, 
1851. Since that time he has traveled 3,000 miles, delivered 
ninety-three lectures and exhortations, preached 137 sermons, 
visited 240 families, attended sixteen prayer-meetings, 
ordained one preacher and four deacons, organized one Sab- 
bath school, raised in cash $843. 37, His expenses, $34. 
Your Board is deeply impressed with the importance of con- 
tinuing Brother Creath as missionary agent, and urge his 
reappointment immediately." 

"Rev. N. T. Byars was appointed missionary in 1849, 
to labor in the county of Navarro, for three months. He 
preached twenty sermons, constituted one church, baptized 
three persons, traveled 500 miles, and received $25 from the 
Board as compensation for his services." 

''Rev. Luther Seaward was appointed in October, 1849, 
to labor principally in Burleson County. He has traveled 
700 miles, preached nineteen sermons, constituted one church, 
visited nine families, and received $100 for his labor." 

"Rev. David Lewis was appointed in October, 1850, as 
missionary to the counties of Houston and Anderson. He 
has traveled 645 miles, preached 162 sermons, delivered seven 
lectures, organized one church, baptized five persons, ordained 
one deacon, visited ninety-seven families, fourteen confer- 
ences, sixteen prayer-meetings, and delivered seven Sunday- 
school addresses." 

"Rev. A. Ledbetter commenced his labors as missionary 
January 1st, 1851, in Dallas, Ellis, Navarro and Tarrant 



252 The Life and Writings oe 

counties. He has preached thirty-nine sermons, baptized two 
persons, received five by letter, and traveled TOO miles." 

"Rev. Noah. Hill, missionary to the colored people, com- 
menced his labors April 1st, 1851, among the slave popula- 
tion of Wharton, Matagorda and Brazoria counties. Your 
Board deeply feel the importance of this mission, and no man 
is better suited to it than Brother Hill. He has traveled 567 
miles, visited sixteen families, delivered four lectures, nine- 
teen sermons, six exhortations, and baptized thirteen slaves. 
Brother Hill received $100 from this Board, $200 from the 
Board at Marion, Alabama, and the remainder of his support 
is made up by the churches at Wharton and Cedar Lake." 

The regular quarterly meetings of the Board have been 
well attended and exceedingly harmonious. " 

Distribution of Bibles and Religious Books. 

"This important subject, so earnestly commended to 
your body at the last session of the convention, has received* 
prayerful attention. At the second meeting of the Board, a 
committee, consisting of R. H. Taliaferro, Nelson Kavanaugh, 
J. P. Cole and James Davis of Houston, was appointed. This 
committee, after most vigorous efforts, have not been able 
to secure, without the cash, books on such terms as would jus- 
tify them in commencing the colporteur system. We recom- 
mend that a fund of $150 be raised immediately, to com- 
mence a depository." 

"The Virginia and Foreign Bible Society at a recent 
meeting, donated $500 to aid Texas in circulating the Bible, 
and if we could raise $150, Ave could commence this glorious 
work at once. We have not been able until this time to secure 
a colporteur, fully prepared and qualified for this work, but 
are now happy to state that our beloved brother, Richard 
Ellis, has signified his willingness to enter upon this work just 
as soon as the books can be procured." 

New Fields. 

"Communications have been received, which clearly 
show the great importance of the convention sending mis- 
sionaries immediately to labor in and around Richmond, Fort 



De. Kufus C. Blkleson. 253 

Bend county, and Cameron, the county seat of Milam county, 
and also Austin, the capital of the State. There are some 
influential Baptists living near these places, each of which 
presents a wide field of usefulness, and should be occupied by 
pious, intellectual and energetic preachers,' 7 

. "Letters have been received from Brother Baggerly of 
Austin and Brother Wombwell of Brownsville concerning 
their fields of labor. Brother Wombwell states that in his 
missionary labors he is sustained by the Domestic Board of 
the Southern Baptist Convention, and a school under his 
charge; that there is in Brownsville no church, there not being 
a sufficient number of members to compose one, nor a house 
of worship belonging to our denomination: that his time is 
employed in studying the Spanish language, -and in making 
the necessary arrangements for a regular and (Systematic 
organization, and so far as possible in all the work of an 
evangelist.' 5 

"Brother Baggerly presents Austin as a proper field to 
be occupied by the convention, and asks that a suitable man be 
secured and sent into it, which request should be, if possible, 
favorably responded to. He likewise requests the convention 
to appoint a body of visitors to attend the examination of the 
school under his charge, which the Board has deemed proper 
to decline as business that does not legitimately come before 
the convention." 

The Treasurer's report at this session of the convention 
showed the source of every contribution, and how the money 
had been applied. 

The Finance Committee reported and paid over to the 
Treasurer $823.67, with an itemized statement, of whom, and 
for what purpose, all collections were received. 

Some reference has been made and some comparisons 
instituted, showing how the Baptists of Texas had increased 
numerically during the past fifty-three years, and how the 
work of the convention had enlarged. This enlargement is 
noticeable in all lines of work, and a comparison between the 
report of Corresponding Secretary Burleson, made at the 
fourth session of the convention, in 1851, and the report of 
Dr. J. B. Gambrill, Corresponding Secretary, made at the 
session of the convention held in Fort Worth, Xovember the 



254 The Life and "Writings of 

8 th, 1901. exactly fifty years and two months afterwards, 
shows the immense strides made in the financial operations of 
the convention, and will produce a feeling of joyful surprise 
and gladness from those who are unacquainted with the opera- 
tions of that body when it was an infant on the borders of 
civilization. The total receipts of the convention in 1851, 
from all sources, was $823.67, and five missionaries were 
employed. At Fort "Worth, Dr. Gambrill says in his report : 

"The results recorded for 1900-1 are far beyond any- 
thing known in our history. The Education Commission was 
able to mark the triumphant completion of the first part of its 
herculean task, viz: The liquidation of all indebtedness on 
the correlated schools, and the addition of important equip- 
ments, not as originally planned, but far beyond. The entire 
amount raised for debt paying and equipment is about $400,- 
000. During the last year the commission raised in cash 
$250,000. The debts, which imperiled all our schools 
except one or two, will be known no more forever. 

''The operations of the Mission Board were on a large 
scale. More than $50,000 in cash was paid out by the Board 
on State missions; 20§ missionaries were employed. All obli- 
gations were met and a balance left in the treasury. Two 
thousand nine hundred and ninety-four people were baptized, 
eighty-three churches constituted, and 6,062 brought into 
church relations. Forty-two meeting houses were built and 
eight others assisted in building. The entire financial opera- 
tion of the Board, in all branches of its work, for all purposes, 
and in all ways, amounted to $140,000 in round numbers. 
That the work of the Commission and State Board could have 
each succeeded on such a tremendous scale, on the same field, 
at the same time, during a year of State-wide crop failure, 
surely ought to awaken thought." 

From 1812, the year from which the operations of Bap- 
tists in Texas should date, until 1851, when Dr. Burleson 
made his report, about twenty houses of worship had been 
built. 

Dr. Gambrell's report shows forty-two, just double this 
number, and two over, erected in one year. 

Dr. Burleson's report shows twenty-nine Baptist preach- 
ers in Texas in 1849. 



Dr. Rttfus C. Burleson. 255 

Dr. Gambrell's report shows nearly seven times that 
number employed solely as missionaries. 

There were, approximately, 950 Baptists in Texas in 
1848. Dr. GambrelFs report shows 6,062, or nearly seven 
times that number, were added to the various churches in the 
State in 1901. 

The last and most striking comparison is, in one respect, 
a deduction; in the other exact figures are given. 

There was a time in the history of the world when nearly 
all the good Baptists lived in caves and among the mountains. 
They had no property, because not permitted to work. These 
good Baptists never came out of these caves, nor down from 
these mountains, except to be blown up or butchered for loy- 
alty to their convictions. They have recovered from these 
slight reverses now, however, and are well toward the front in 
matters of business. This being the case, it is presumed that 
Baptists were as well-to-do in the early times in Texas as other 
people. The people at that time owned some land, but this 
possessed very little value. Nearly all were poor; a fortune 
of $5,000 was colossal wealth. The average fortune was not 
far from $1,000. 

It is assumed that 250 of the 950 Baptists in Texas in 
1848 were slaves, and, of course, owned no property, thus 
reducing the number of white Baptists to 700. Now, sup- 
pose they had been called on to raise $400,000 ? If they had 
contributed $500 each, which would have been perhaps one- 
half of all the property they possessed, they would have 
needed, $50,000 to. finish the amount. 

The text for the first conventional sermon ever preached, 
as stated, was: "Of the increase of His Government and 
Peace there should he no end" On that occasion Rev. Z. N". 
Morrell predicted and drew a word picture of present condi- 
tions. As the colossal growth, indicated by these comparisons, 
is contemplated, and the soul swells with ineffable joy, our 
hearts should turn upward and our faces backward, while we 
praise Him for sending Heroes and Heroines to Texas, 
through whose sacrifices and self -forgetting the present condi- 
tion of the denomination was made possible. 



256 The Life and Writings of 



CHAPTER XXX 



In 1852 Convention Meets in Marshall, 1853 in Hunts- 
ville — At Both Meetings Dr. Burleson Renews His 
Efforts for the Establishment of a Paper — His 
Report as Corresponding Secretary — Reviews the 
Year's Work — Baylor University — Meetings of the 
Board of Directors — J. W. D. Creath, His Consecra- 
tion and Character — His Saddle Horse, John the 
Baptist — Dr. Burleson's Report for 1853 — Work 
Encouraging Along All Lines — Special Committee 
Appointed to Visit Baylor University — President 
Burleson and Prof. Clark Made Honorary Mem- 
bers of the Convention. 



T MARSHALL in 1852 Mr. Burleson renewed his 
efforts to induce the convention to establish a Baptist 
paper. In his new relation to the denomination as 
college President he felt more sensibly the pressing importance 
of this medium of presenting the progress of missions and edu- 
cation to the people. He believed in taking his constituents 
into his confidence. If the enterprises entrusted to his direc- 
tion and management were prosperous, he wanted some means 
other than the laborious task of writing personal letters, 
through which to apprise the people. If these enterprises lan- 
guished, he wanted the friends to know the truth, as the best 
means of inducing them to redouble their efforts. The con- 
vention was not ready to guarantee success in the matter, nor 
to assume any financial responsibility, and the effort failed. 



Dr. Rufits C. Burleson. 257 

His report as Corresponding Secretary presented to the 
convention at Marshall was the most voluminous document 
yet considered by that body, and a paper of much interest at 
the same time. It showed the swelling tide of Baptist progress 
in missions, and included also the progress in education, a fea- 
ture not embodied in any report up to this time. 
Dear Brethren : 

"Another year has passed away, and our acts, labors of 
love, and shortcomings are all registered in the great book of 
God's remembrance, to be unrolled before an assembled uni- 
verse in that last day." 

"Reviewing carefully the labors and progress of our con- 
vention since 1851, we find some things to regret, but many 
others for which to be devoutly grateful to God. One of our 
most faithful missionaries, Rev. H. P. Mays, has fallen at his 
post. God has abundantly blessed the toils of some of our mis- 
sionaries in the conversion of many souls." 

"The quarterly as well as the called meetings of the Board 
have been well attended, and characterized by the spirit of 
harmony, love and zeal. Our efforts have been impeded con- 
siderably by the pecuniary embarrassments of the State, yet 
all the great objects of the convention have been moving on 
steadily, and gaining a deeper and stronger hold on the affec- 
tions of our churches and brethren." 

Here follows a very careful resume of the work of J. W. 
D. Creath, A. Buffmgton, Noah Hill, A. Ledbetter, David 
Lewis and David Fisher, the six missionaries employed by the 
convention during that year. 

Appropriations Made to Associations. 

To Trinity River Association $100 

To Elm Fork Association 100 

To Red River Association . 100 

To Cherokee Association 100 

""We have learned that these associations have already 
obtained missionaries, who are engaged successfully." 

********* 

17 



258 The Life and "Writings of 

Important and Destitute Fields. 

"San Antonio and Segnin present a tine opportunity for 
a Baptist minister of deep piety and good intellect. The 
former is said to have a population of not less than 6,000, and 
the latter of about 1,000 or 1,500; they are about thirty miles 
apart. The citizens of these places and vicinity are intelli- 
gent and liberal, and it is believed if the right kind of a man 
was located there, almost his entire salary could be raised on 
the field, even for the first year. But an ordinary man need 
not be sent. It will be time and labor lost." 

"Bastrop, on the Colorado, presents another field 'white 
to the harvest.' It has about 1,000 inhabitants, and the vicin- 
ity is densely settled with an enterprising population. There 
are several influential Baptists on the field, who made liberal 
offers to a minister of our church. Rev. R. H. Taliaferro of 
Austin devotes a portion of his time to this interesting field, 
but the growing importance of this section of the State 
demands a pious and energetic man, devoted entirely to Bas- 
trop and vicinity. The villages and country on the coast, 
between the Brazos and Colorado rivers, are becoming daily 
more important. In all this wide, fertile and populous region 
we have but one preacher." 

"The counties in Northern Texas, bordering on Red 
river, is another equally destitute and important field. There 
are several small churches here that say they will support a 
minister if one can be found. But where is the man f 99 

The counties of Limestone and Freestone, left destitute 
by the death of our zealous and devoted Mays, ought to be 
supplied immediately. The interesting little churches he 
organized are now as sheep without a shepherd." 

"Brownsville, on the Rio Grande, has been abandoned 
by Brother J. H. "Wombwell, missionary of the Southern 
Board. We are fully convinced this point might become a 
place of great influence, on the Mexican and American popu- 
lation, if we could locate a man there of deep devotion, untir- 
ing energy and superior ability. But no other will do. 
Brethren, while the Macedonian cry sounds in our ear from so 
many important places, how can we, how dare we, stand idle? 



Dr. Eufus C. Burleson. 259 

Something lias been done, we grant, but our hearts are sad 
when we see so much undone. " 



Baylor University. 

"We are happy to report this institution in a nourishing 
condition. It now has an able Faculty, and during the pres- 
ent scholastic year has enrolled one hundred and sixty-five 
students. The endowment of the Presidency has been raised 
to nearly ten thousand dollars. We have abundant reason to 
believe that this institution will become an ornament to Texas, 
and a rich blessing to our denomination. In accordance with 
the recent changes made by the Legislature in its charter, your 
Board has elected two Trustees— Rev. Gr. W. Baines, to fill 
the place of James Hines, resigned, and J. W. Barnes, to fill 
the place of Orin B. Drake." 

We return to Corresponding Secretary Burleson's report 
for this year to introduce a statement of the results of the 
work of one missionary in the employment of the convention. 

"At the first meeting of the Board, held on the 19th of 
June, Elder J. W. D. Creath was appointed our missionary 
agent, at a salary of $400 a year and traveling expenses, whose 
duties should be as formerly, travel through the State, organ- 
ize new churches, do the work of an evangelist, awaken a 
deeper interest among the brethren for Home Missions, minis- 
terial education and all the great objects of this convention. 
The members of your Board are more and more convinced of 
the desirability of having Brother Creath to give his undivided 
time to this agency. We deeply regretted that circumstances 
seemed to render it impossible to secure his whole time. At a 
meeting held in December last, at Independence, at his re- 
quest, he was released for one-third of his time, to serve the 
Huntsville Church as pastor. Since which he has devoted but 
two-thirds of his time to our agency, the church at Huntsville 
and the Board bearing proportional parts of his salary. 
Though this arrangement has somewhat diminished Brother 
CreatVs usefulness as our agent, yet he has rendered the con- 
vention valuable services, as the following report shows be- 
vond doubt." 



260 The Life and Writings of 

Report — "I have traveled from June 17th, 1851, to June 
22d, 1852, 3,280 miles, preached 121 sermons, visited 246 
families, aided in ordaining two ministers, six deacons, consti- 
tuted two churches and witnessed the conversion of more than 
forty persons. I have raised $850 in cash and subscriptions, 
including the balance of unpaid subscription of $960. JTor 
the endowment of the Presidency of Baylor University I have 
raised $320, and collected for this institution $221." 

What a showing for only two-thirds of the time of this 
sublimely consecrated man of God, and what a lesson it should 
teach the modern preacher, who demands much larger pay 
for much less and much easier work. 

During the years Brother Creath represented the conven- 
tion as missionary and financial agent he traveled perhaps 
50,000 miles. He never used a vehicle of any kind, but rode a 
medium size, jet black horse that he called "John the Baptist." 
This horse had no fancy gaits, but moved along at the rate of 
four miles an hour, in what the old Texans called a "plain, 
flat-footed walk." When he visited a town or community, he 
paid no kind of attention to the social amenities of life until 
the "King's business" was attended to. The object of his 
visit disposed of, no man was more agreeable in the family 
circle. He did not dress as a minister, but wore a business 
suit of dark gray cloth, broad brim black slouch hat, deerskin 
gauntlets, and cloth leggings, tightly laced and fastened just 
above the knee. 

Before entering a town he decided where he would stop, 
and on reaching the place he rode to the front gate, dis- 
mounted, tied "John the Baptist," and if no person was in 
sight he threw his blanket and saddle bags across the fence, and 
hastened away to find the man with whom he had business. 
Often it would be midnight before he returned, but "John the 
Baptist" was as well known as his master, and suffered no 
neglect in his absence. 

Scores of times has this author, as a little bareheaded and 
barefooted boy, been called from his grapevine swing in the 
side yard, when this old weather-beaten missionary halted in 
front of his sainted parents' residence at Independence, and 
listened to these words : 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 261 

"Well, my little man, it makes no difference where I 
sleep, or what I have to eat, so your mother gives me molasses 
to put in my buttermilk, but John the Baptist takes me around 
to attend to the King's business, and I want him to have some 
water; then put him in a warm stall and give him plenty of 
corn and fodder." 

This request was always obeyed, but entirely unnecessary, 
for if there was one grain of corn or one blade of fodder on 
the place "John the Baptist" would be as sure to get it as his 
master to get the molasses for his buttermilk. 

The operations of the convention for 1853 are very 
succinctly stated by Secretary Burleson, from which the fol- 
lowing extracts are made : 

"It has been the fixed purpose of the Board to avoid pecu- 
niary embarrassments, feeling that debt would be a fearful 
calamity to our cause; hence we have confined our efforts 
entirely within our means, and have accomplished less mis- 
sionary labor than was accomplished last year. 

At our first meeting, held in Marshall immediately on the 
adjournment of the last convention, our indefatigable agent, 
Rev. J. W. D. Creath, was appointed General Missionary- 
Agent. He accepted, on condition that he be allowed to 
devote one-third of his time to the pastoral care of the Hunts- 
ville Church, which was granted, provided the church would 
pay one-third of his salary, which the church consented to do. 

"Brother Creath has preached 102 sermons, delivered 
thirty-three exhortations, traveled 2,000 miles, attended 
twenty-five prayer-meetings, visited 230 families, ordained 
one minister, one deacon, raised for convention in subscrip- 
tion $1,000 cash, and aided twenty-five churches in procuring 
pastors. 

''Elder A. Buffington was reappointed missionary to the 
colored population in Anderson and its vicinity. He has 
labored during the whole year and has accomplished good. He 
has been greatly impeded in his labors for want of a house of 
worship. He has baptized five servants, and is still willing 
to labor gratuitously in this important part of our missionary- 
work. 

"Elder A. Ledbetter was appointed missionary in the 
bounds of the Trinity Biver Association at a salary of $100 



262 The Life and Writings of 

per year from this Board. He Has traveled 1,632 miles, vis- 
ited thirty-five families, organized one Sunday-school, received 
fifteen members by letter, one by baptism, preached eighty-five 
sermons and delivered eighteen exhortations. 

"Elder David Fisher was reappointed at the meeting in 
Marshall for the country lying on the Brazos and Little river. 
He has traveled 1,600 miles, preached ninety-eight sermons, 
delivered twenty-eight exhortations, attended twenty-four 
prayer-meetings, visited 125 families, baptized thirty-two 
persons, and received by letter sixteen. 

"The above embraces only about one-half of the mis- 
sionary work done under the auspices of your convention. The 
following appropriations were made : To the Colorado Asso- 
ciation, $100.00; Red River Association, $100.00; Soda Lake 
Association, $100.00; Elm Eork Association, $50.00; Chero- 
kee Association, $50.00. 

"These bodies, we learn, have employed missionaries, 
who have rendered important service in the bounds of their 
respective associations, yet no report has been made to your 
Board of their operations. 

"We would again urge upon the convention the impor- 
tance of a resolution passed last year, that no money be paid 
out of the funds in the treasury of this convention until the 
full report of the labor performed has been received. Such a 
regulation will be indispensable in making out a complete his- 
tory of the missionary labor performed under the auspices 
of this body. 



On the Distribution of Religious Books. 

"Your Board has exerted its utmost effort to employ 
some suitable agent for colporteur to distribute Bibles and 
Baptist books throughout Texas. We regard this work as 
being of much importance, and would suggest that this con- 
vention would continue its efforts in this direction until our 
denominational books are scattered over the wide State. We 
rejoice to be able to state that by the personal efforts of our 
general agent about $800 worth of our best publications have 
been circulated. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 263 

Destitute Fields. 

"There are over one hundred destitute places without 
Baptist preaching and earnestly crying to us for the bread 
of life. Seguin, New Braunfels, San Antonio and Browns- 
ville and the counties in Northern Texas bordering on Red 
River, and Southeastern Texas are destitute, and should be 
supplied as soon as possible. Your Board would earnestly 
recommend that not less than $2,000 be raised especially for 
Home Missions, and that four evangelists, two for Eastern and 
two for Western Texas, be appointed, whose duties it shall be 
to devote their whole time to holding protracted meetings, 
organizing churches, and aiding them when organized to pro- 
cure regular pastors. In concluding our report, we can but 
express our heartfelt gratitude for the bright prospects around 
us. Everything gives signs of a glorious future. 

"Our beloved institution, Baylor University, was never 
in so flourishing a condition. Several talented and pious 
young men in our State are preparing for the ministry." 

At this session of the convention a special committee was 
appointed, of which the Rev. James H. Stribling was chair- 
man, to report more in detail as to the condition and needs of 
Baylor University. Dr. Burleson discussed the report of this 
committee, and took occasion to impress upon the minds of 
the delegates present the supreme importance of its success. 

He referred to the fact that while the university at that 
time had a Faculty of eight efficient teachers, and was going 
on from victory to victory, it was no time for its friends to 
abate their efforts in its behalf. He also referred to the fact 
that while a fund of $10,000 had been raised for Presidential 
endownment, and $8,000 in sight for the endowment of the 
chair of Natural Sciences, it was no time to stop, but to press 
on, .until the institution became the pride of every Texan, as 
well as the glory of Baptist liberality, patriotism and wisdom. 

A resolution was passed by the convention making Presi- 
dent Burleson and Rev. Horace Clark, Principal of the Female 
Department, honorary members of the Convention, and enti- 
tled to attend its meetings and enjoy all its privileges. The 
same resolution provided for the appointment of a committee 
by the convention to visit the institution at Independence, and 
report its condition at the next session. 



264 The Life and "Writings of 



CHAPTER XXXI 



Meeting of the State Convention in 1854 — Baptist Af- 
fairs Eeach the High Water Mark — Baylor Univer- 
sity Reported by the Committee and Trustees to Be 
in a Flourishing Condition — Bounding Report of Rev. 
Isaac Parks on Ministerial Education — Annual Re- 
port of Corresponding Secretary Burleson — Last 
Official Report to the Convention — Tenders His 
Resignation to Devote Himself to the Interest of 
the School — Recommends Rev. J. B. Stiteler as His 
Successor — Rev. C. H. Stiteler Elected. 



*l HE Baptist State Convention met in Palestine June 

sssggg 17th, 1854. Rev. James Huckins was elected Presi- 

Sil dent, J. W. D. Creath, J. M. Maxey and S. G. 

O'Brien, Vice-Presidents. Dr. G. W. Baines, Recording 

Secretary, Rnfus C. Burleson, Corresponding Secretary, and 

General James W. Barnes, Treasurer. 

Judging from the proceedings which have been freely 
consulted, Baptist affairs in Texas over which the convention 
exercised jurisdiction had reached the high water mark. All 
the committees were prepared with reports upon the various 
phases of the work with which they were expected to deal. 
The report of S. G. O'Brien, G. W. Baines and J. W. D. 
Creath, on Foreign Missions, Rev. H. Garrett on Home Mis- 
sions, John O. Walker on Conditions of the Colored Popula- 
tion, S. G. O'Brien on Books and Periodicals, J. W. D. Creath 
on the Constitution, D. B. Morrill on the State of Religion 
generally in Texas. H. Garrett on Condition of Baylor Uni- 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 265 

versity, J. V. Wright on Temperance, J. V. "Wright on Sab- 
bath Schools, Isaac Parks on Education, Kufus C. Burleson, 
Proceedings of the Board of Directors, were all highly inter- 
esting documents and worthy of their great authors, and the 
great cause of Christianity. 

However, only those that touch the career of Dr. Bur- 
leson, will be noticed. 

Keport of the Board or Trustees of Baylor University. 

"In compliance with the request of your body, I lay be- 
fore you as nearly as possible the condition of Baylor Univer- 
sity. This institution was founded chiefly by the instrument- 
ality of the lamented Wm. M. Tryon, and was charted by the 
Kepublic of Texas in 1845. And though it has had the many 
difficulties of a new and thinly settled country to contend with, 
yet the progress of the school has met the expectations of its 
most sanguine friends. Our institution is almost the only one 
in the state that has not been subject to great fluctuations, and 
changes of prosperity and adversity. Its progress has been 
gradual, permanent and upward. 

"This fact has been owing under God, to the harmonious 
action and feeling of the Board of Trustees, the liberality of 
Texans, the energy and zeal of its Teachers and Professors. 
The institution has now two buildings about three-quarters 
of a mile apart, one for the male, the other for the female 
departments. The Presidency and chair of natural science 
have received a partial endowment of about ten thousand dol- 
lars each, the interest of which, at 8 per cent., supports in part 
Kufus C. Burleson, the President, and J. B. Stiteler, Pro- 
fessor of natural science. The other Professors in the male 
department are sustained entirely by the receipts from tui- 
tion." 

"The Pemale Department is under the direction of Kev. 
H. Clark, and is in a flourishing condition. The number of 
students in both Departments, is between one hundred and 
eighty, or one hundred and ninety, and it is confidently be- 
lieved that this number will be increased to two hundred and 
forty before the year closes. 



266 The Life and Writings of 

"This large patronage, with the interest accruing from 
the endowment, enables the Trustees to employ four able 
teachers in the Male Department and four in the Female. 
The institution is supplied with new and superior apparatus, 
and a well selected library; and the Hon. Sam Houston has 
tendered to the institution, the free use of his large and well 
selected library, which affords good facilities for students. 

'The property of the institution is estimated to be worth 
about $40,000, a part of which consists in lands of increasing 
value. There are three young preachers in the institution, 
preparing for the full work of the Gospel Ministry. Tuition 
is free to all the children of Ministers of the Gospel. * * * 

H. GABRETT, 

President Board Trustees. 

Rev. H. Garrett was a very conservative and successful 
business man, and distinguished for his coolness, good sense 
and fine judgment. His favorable report on the condition 
and prospects of Baylor University enthused the committee 
appointed on Ministerial Education, who presented to the 
convention the following bounding report: 

Brethren: — The committee to whom was referred the 
subject of Ministerial Education and Baylor University, have 
had the same under consideration and have instructed me to 
make the following report : 

We congratulate our brethren upon the interest they are 
taking in this important subject. This subject is engaging the 
prayerful attention of Baptists throughout our entire country. 
Our hearts are made to rejoice on account of the multiplied 
facilities afforded our pious young brethren for intellectual 
training, who have the ministry in view. Brethren, while 
we feel grateful to God for the prosperity which has attended 
our efforts in this department of Christian enterprise, let us 
ever remember that an unsanctifled ministry is one of the 
greatest curses to the church and the world. It is not merely 
developed intellect that the age requires. We want men of 
educated hearts — men who have been thoroughly taught in the 
heaven-inspiring doctrine of experimental religion — men who 
feel "Woe is me if I preach not the gospel." Let such be 
sought out, and let them have such advantages of improvement 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 267 

as circumstances will justify, and God will bless us in our ris- 
ing ministry. We are happy to inform the Convention that 
we have three or four such young brethren now at Baylor Uni- 
versity, whom the love of Christ constraining, are studying in 
order that they may be efficient ambassadors of Christ. 

But the Committees are profoundly impressed with the 
conviction that we ought to look to the matured ranks of so- 
ciety for men already educated, pursuing various vocations in 
life. How many pious men have we in the different walks of 
life, who have had the benefits of education. They are pious, 
and may we not approach many such and say the Master hath 
need of thee to preach the gospel. We may thus awaken a 
series of holy reflections and pious meditation, that will cause 
some, at least, to leave the learned professions and follow 
Christ in the preaching of the gospel. May the Lord of the 
harvest send forth from all the ranks of society, holy men, 
godly men, to preach Jesus to the perishing multitudes of 
earth. 

The Committee refer the Convention to the report of the 
President of the Board of Trustees of Baylor University, as 
to the conditions and prospects of that institution. We bless 
God that Baptists in this great confederacy of States, are doing 
so much in the cause of education. The following statistics 
will give some idea what the great Baptist family are doing 
in this work. 

It is estimated that within the last six years, one million 
five hundred thousand dollars have been subscribed towards 
the endowment of Baptist Colleges and Seminaries in this wide 
land. The whole number of instructors is 154; students over 
2,500. They have graduated over 4,000 students in all, and 
their libraries contain more than 120,000 volumes. May we 
not bless God and take courage ? 

ISAAC PARKS, Chairman. 

The annual report of Corresponding Secretary, Rufus C. 
Burleson, was then, and still remains the most interesting 
feature of the proceedings of the convention, as it presents 
more in detail, the work of the year, and hence gives a clearer 
insight into the trials, troubles and triumphs of those who were 
in the saddle. 



268 The Life and Writings of 

This was to be his last report as Corresponding Secretary 
of the convention, and was very elaborate and complete. 

Since many subjects were covered by Rev. H. Garrett, 
President of the Board of Trustees of Baylor University, in 
his report, and Rev. Isaac Parks in his report as Chairman of 
the Committee on Ministeral Education, the paper of Dr. Bur- 
leson is abridged to avoid repetition. 

"Brother Creath has rendered valuable services to the 
convention during the past year, by correspondence and other 
gratuitous labors, yet we feel it is of vital importance to have 
an efficient agent, whose whole time and undivided energies 
can be devoted to the interests of this Convention. 

Reports of Missionaries. 

In accordance with instructions of the last convention, 
your board made every effort to procure evangelists for East- 
ern and Western Texas, whose duty should be to visit the 
destitute neighborhoods, villages and cities, preach and hold 
protracted meetings, organize churches, and assist them in 
procuring pastors. After considerable consultation and the 
most diligent efforts, we were unable to secure two evangelists 
for Eastern Texas. Elder A. W. Elledge, of Haliettsville, 
and Rev. R. H. Taliaferro, of Austin, consented to become 
Evangelists for West Texas, provided ministers could be se- 
cured to fill their pulpits. They entered on the work under 
some embarrassments, and labored together for two months. 
They traveled together 650 miles, constituted one church, 
ordained one minister of the Gospel, preached fifty-five ser- 
mons, delivered twenty-eight exhortations, visited eighty fami- 
lies, and baptized six persons. 

Brother Elledge while laboring separately, has preached 
sixteen sermons, delivered ten exhortations, visited twenty 
families, and witnessed the conversion and baptism of seven- 
teen persons and labored twenty days during the month. 

Brother Taliaferro has labored separately for two months, 
but from some cause no definite report has been received by 
the Corresponding Secretary. We regret exceedingly that 
these brethren were compelled either from domestic cares or 
church relations, to discontinue their labors as evangelists for 



Dr. Rufus C. Bueleson". 269 

we are more deeply convinced than ever of the vast importance 
of sending out evangelists, two and two together, to visit 
and labor in destitute places. We may state that our plan of 
evangelizing failed entirely for want of men, as the most ample 
means could have been secured for their support. 

Elder David Fisher was reappointed as Missionary for the 
important counties lying on the Brazos and Little "River?, with 
a salary of $200 a year from this Board and $200 from the 
Southern Board at Marion, Ala. He has traveled 2412 
miles, preached 151 sermons, delivered 172 exhortations, at- 
tended thirty-seven prayer meetings, visited 650 persons and 
families, baptized thirty-three converts, received thirty-three 
into the fellowship of the church by letter, organized one 
church and ordained one minister. 

Elder A. Bufhngton was reappointed to labor gratuit- 
ously among the colored population in Grimes county, but no 
report of his labors has been received by your Board. 

Elder Benjamin Clark was appointed at the first meeting 
of the Board at Huntsville, as missionary for Robertson 
county, also to act as colporteur for the circulation of the 
Bible and religious books, on a salary of $100 per year from 
this board. He has rendered very efficient service. He has 
traveled 1,523 miles, preached seventy-five sermons, delivered 
seventeen exhortations, attended eleven prayer meetings, 
baptized four persons, received twenty-four into the churches 
by letter, aided in ordaining three deacons, constituted two 
churches and visited fifty-one families. 

/ Elder James Huckins, was appointed missionary for Gal- 
veston and vicinity, to receive $100 from this board, and the 
remainder of the salary to be made up by the Church at Gal- 
veston and the Southern Board. He has supplied the Church 
and colored congregation of that city, and for the last eight 
months has filled regular appointments in the vicinity of San 
Jacinto, where there are some fifteen scattered Baptists. He 
has preached 128 sermons, attended 1-14 prayer meetings, 
baptized fifteen persons, made 602 religious visits, traveled 900 
miles, and reports the Church in Galveston as being in better 
condition than ever before, and the one at San Jacinto as one 
of great destitution but of considerable promise, and an in- 



270 The Life Jvnd Writings of 

teresting state of religion in the colored congregation at Gal- 
veston. 

For the Bethlehem Association, $100 was appropriated to 
aid in sustaining a missionary. They have secured the ser- 
vices of Brother E. A. Phelps who has labored forty-nine days, 
preached forty-six sermons, visited sixty families, delivered 
seven exhortations, traveled 1,447 miles and reports the pros- 
pect as encouraging at several points. 

Baylor University. 

Your Board rejoices to be able to state, that this institu- 
tion is still in a nourishing condition, increasing in public con- 
fidence, and its facilities for imparting thorough instruction in 
every department of education. Your Board would suggest 
that your body appoint a committee of five to visit the insti- 
tution, examine carefully into its whole condition and report 
at our next meeting. 

Important and Destitute Fields. 

Your Board rejoices to ]earn that -some of the destitute 
places mentioned in our last report are now supplied with 
pious and efficient ministers. But the destitution is still great; 
Brownsville, San Antonio, Indianola, Port Lavaca and Rich- 
mond are still without Baptist preaching. There are a few 
Baptists in each of these places, and if they could be supplied 
with a faithful ministry, doubtless efficient churches might be 
established in each of these towns. There is also vast desti- 
tution and loud calls for Baptist Ministers in the counties 
lying on Red River. Your Board is often sad to behold this 
universal destitution without the means to supply it. 

Distribution of Religious Books. 

Your Board is glad to report that they have been able at 
last to employ an efficient colporteur to distribute denomina- 
tional books. We have employed Brother John Clabaugh for 
this important work, on a salary of $250 a year. He has al- 
ready sold about $300 worth of our best publications, and 
will doubtless be able to sell $1,200 or $1,500 worth during the 



Dr. Eufus C. Burleson. 271 

year. A small per cent on the books sold will more than pay 
his salary. We are glad to learn that there is a strong and al- 
most universal desire for religious works especially books of a 
devotional character." 

After the convention had received, discussed and dis- 
posed of the report of Corresponding Secretary Burleson, he 
placed the following communication on the Recording Secre- 
tary's table, which was heard with sincere regrets. The force 
of his reasons for tendering his resignation, was appreciated 
by the delegates, as it was understood that the growing con- 
dition of Baylor University rendered its demands on his time 
as President, more exacting. 

To the Baptist State Convention : 

Dear Brethren: — For six years you have honored me 
with the office of Corresponding Secretary. The duties of this 
office I have discharged to the best of my ability. But my in- 
creasing labors and responsibility in another department of 
Christian effort,, renders it impracticable for me to serve you 
longer as Corresponding Secretary. And as I desire the labors 
and honors of the convention should be equally divided among 
all the brethren, allow me to resign the office, and suggest that 
Brother J. B. Stiteler be elected to this responsible position. 
Ever and devotedly yours, 

RTTFUS C. BURLESOK 




272 The Life and Writings of 



CHAPTER XXXII 



Importance of the Office of Corresponding Secretary — 
All Work Done Largely Under His Advice — Mr. 
Burleson Having no Precedents, Blazed His Own 
Way, Made His Own Path — Attends Meeting of the 
Union Association — Writes the Circular Letter — 
Preaches the Introductory Sermon — Delivers the 
Semi-Centennial Address at Sealy in 1890 — Return 
to Convention — Report of Committee on Education- — 
Indian Missions — Pioneers Thoroughly Saturated 
with the Spirit — Committee Appointed to Open Cor- 
respondence with the Board of Managers of the 
American Indian Mission Association. 



W 



HEN" the convention was organized the Corresponding- 
Secretary was the most responsible officer in that 
body, and as already observed, remains so up to this 
time. The Board of Directors appoint the missionaries and 
agents of the convention, and exercise general supervisory 
control of all its enterprises and operations; but it is no super- 
lation of the duties of this official to say, that they do so largely 
upon his recommendation, and his judgment on all matters, is 
largely deferred to. He devotes his entire time to a close study 
of the situation, is conversant with wants of the field, in close, 
and almost constant touch with the missionaries and agents. 
The members of the Board being fully apprised of this fact, 
look to him for counsel, and act on his advice. 

Mr. Burleson filled this position from the date of the 
organization of the convention, September the 8th, 1848, until 
June the 17th, 1854. The duties of the position were by no 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 273 

means so extensive then as now, but possibly more arduous and 
difficult to discharge. Texas was a new country, the popula- 
tion a heterogeneous mass, the convention a new proposition 
in religious work, and Mr. Burleson comparatively a young 
man. There were no established rules to guide him, and no 
successful plans to follow. He was thus forced to rely largely 
upon his own resourceful nature; to blaze the way, make a 
path, ordain rules, originate plans, and devise means. "His 
original cast of mind, relied on the fundamental principles of 
truth. Anxious not requiring proof, causes clearly effective, 
effects undoubtedly linked to causes, principles took possession 
of his mind, and were more potent in reaching conclusions, and 
inducing conclusions in others, than a whole library of prece- 
dents and authorities," even if they had been at his command. 

Mr. Burleson was equal to the demands made upon his 
resources. The situation and conditions were carefully studied 
and mastered. He was familiar with every portion of the 
field, and advanced with the steadiness and courage of a vet- 
eran. Plans were adopted, rules formulated, and precedents 
established that have been valuable in all the after history of 
this great body. 

With the acceptance of his resignation as Corresponding 
Secretary, his official connection with the convention for a 
time was eventuated. But his interest in its work was by no 
means abated. He continued to attend the meetings, and 
participated actively in its deliberations. Not only was he 
interested in the work of the convention, but felt a deep con- 
cern for the success of all Christian effort being put forth at 
that time in the State. And after assisting in forming the 
convention, he attended the meeting of the Union Associa- 
tion held at Independence September 28th, 1848, sixteen days 
after the first session of the convention adjourned. Here he 
took hold of the work without hesitancy, and in addition to 
being placed on several committees, was appointed to write the 
Circular Letter of the Association for the session of 1849, at 
Huntsville. 

At this meeting he was also honored by being chosen to 
preach the introductory sermon of the Association, to be held 
with the Providence Church, near Chappell Hill, October the 
3d, 1850. Through all the succeeding years of the history of 

18 



274 The Life and Writings of 

this pioneer body, the name of Bufus C. Burleson, appears 
regularly and conspicuously in the record of its proceedings. 
And he had the pleasure, and honor of delivering the address, 
on the occasion of the celebration of the semi-centennial an- 
niversary of this Old Mother Body, at Sealy, August 17th, 
1890. 

Dr. Burleson's address on that occasion was so replete 
with denominational history, and contains so many references 
to important civic events, that copious extracts are made from 
it, feeling that all will be interested in its perusal. 

"We have assembled on this hold Sabbath evening to re- 
view and commemorate the blessings of God, on this vener- 
able Association, for the last half century. 

"Let us in the beginning of this service, keep in mind 
two great facts : 1st. ~No society, no association, no nation, 
ever became really great without commemorative days. Who 
can estimate the value of the anniversary of the battle of San 
Jacinto to Texas or the 4th of July to the American people." 
Borne and England in part attained their great power by com- 
memorating great events in their history. 

The most solemn service of God's ancient Israel, were 
days and feasts commemorating the glorious events of the past, 
and filling the Jewish heart with praises to God. The two 
great ordinances in Christ's Church, to be kept until He 
comes again, are to commemorate the dying, bleeding love of 
our dear Bedeemer." 

"But let us never forget the second great truth, that the 
true end of all anniversaries, and especially of this semi-cen- 
tennial service, is to fill the heart with glowing love to God, 
and to inspire all hearts with a burning desire to carry forward 
with grander success, the work begun by our Fathers, fifty 
years ago. The end of this service will not be attained, unless 
we go from this house praying, 'nearer my God to Thee, nearer 
to Thee.' 

It is a pleasing and thrilling coincidence, that the fiftieth 
anniversary of the organization of Union Association, is held 
in a place, surrounded by some of the most glorious events in 
Texas history. Five miles east of this place is San Felipe, the 
first town ever built by Anglo-Americans on Texas soil. There 
the first Masonic Lodge in Texas was organized. There the 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 275 

first Sabbath School in Texas was founded in 1827 by our 
sainted brother and Baptist deacon, Thomas J. Pilgrim. There 
the first Texas newspaper, "The Star and Telegraph/' was 
established by Gail Borden, for many years deacon of the 
First Baptist Church in Galveston, and discoverer of Con- 
densed Milk, a great blessing to the human family. There, 
too, assembled in December, 1835, the general consultation 
that inaugurated Texas Independence from Mexican misrule. 
San Felipe was the capital of Texas till burned to ashes by 
Santa Anna, the bloody invader, in 1836. Ten miles north 
of this place once stood the humble but hospitable home of 
Moses Shipman, in which Elder Joseph Bayes, a Baptist, 
preached, in 1825, the first gospel sermon in Texas. In that 
same house, two years later, 1827, our beloved and venerable 
Sister James Allcorn was converted under the preaching of 
Rev. Thos. Hanks, a Baptist. This was the first public pro- 
fession ever known in Texas. This beloved sister, after spend- 
ing sixty-three years in the service of God and of Texas, died 
just one week ago, and went home to heaven. Twenty miles 
north once stood the town of Travis where this Association, the 
mother of all our Associations, and the mother of all great 
Baptist enterprises in Texas, was organized in 1840. It was 
small in numbers, but mighty in faith and noble deeds. There 
were present only three preachers: Elders R. E. B. Baylor, 
Thos. W. Cox and J. J. Davis, and three churches represented, 
Independence, LaGrange and Travis. Our grand old pioneer, 
Elder Z. !N". Morrell, would have been present as a member 
from Plum Grove, Fayette county, but he was prostrate on a 
bed of sickness by over-exertion in fighting and chasing In- 
dians and Mexicans away from the families of Texas. It is 
not to be wondered that this infant Association, born amid 
such stirring events and surroundings, should, like the infant 
Hercules, begin even in the cradle to strangle the venomous 
beasts of heresy and resolve to send the gospel into every 
neighborhood in Texas. Though surrounded by hostile In- 
dians and Mexicans and in deep poverty, they sent out Brother 
A. Buffington to preach the gospel between the Brazos and 
Trinity, and Rev. 1ST. T. Byars and Richard Ellis to preach 
the gospel in all the region west of the Colorado. But they 
found that they were utterly unable to supply the vast throng 



276 The Life and Writings of 

of immigrants and the widely scattered settlements over this 
vast empire State. And, remembering that an appeal sent out 
in 1837 by Brethren Jas. E. Jenkins, A. Buffington and EL K. 
Cartmell had touched the great heart of Jesse Mercer, of 
Georgia, and induced him to donate $2,500 to begin a Texas 
mission, and this money enabled the Home Mission Board of 
New York to send Win. M. Tryon, Jas. Huckins, B. B. Bax- 
ter and E. H. Taliaferro to Texas. This second appeal was 
made to the Southern Baptist Convention, organized at Au- 
gusta, Ga., in 1845. That Convention of Southern Baptists 
responded warmly to this appeal, and sent, in 1847, what Z. 
!N". Morrell, in his great book, ''Flowers and Fruits," calls "a 
whole ship-load of preachers." Of that number were Elders 
P. B. Chandler, Noah Hill, Jesse Witt, J. W. D. Creath, J. F. 
Hilyer and Henry L. Graves, as Missionary President of Bay- 
lor University. Eufus C. Burleson belonged to the same 
cargo, but he came seven months later. The Southern Baptist 
Convention, in their great zeal for Texas, also agreed to sup- 
port Elders Z. K Morrell, K T. Byars, Eichard Ellis, Wm. 
M. Tryon, Jas. Huckins, E, H. Taliaferro, Wm. Pickett, Jas. 
H. Stribling and D. B. Morrill, already laboring successfully 
in Texas. 



"The Southern Baptist convention in its ardent zeal to 
supply the great destitution in this Empire State, has gen- 
erously donated more than $100,000, and has placed all 
Texas under an everlasting debt of love and gratitude, which 
she can only repay, by earnestly co-operating in its efforts to 
evangelize the world." 

But the heroic and far-seeing f athere of this Association, 
in their profound wisdom, saw, and deeply felt the necessity 
for Christian education, for the pious training of the Sons and 
Daughters of Texas, and especially for educating the rising 
young preachers of the State. They therefore resolved, at the 
second annual session, to found a Texas Baptist education 
society, that led to a great Baptist University, that will stand 
as a Gibraltar to Baptist faith, as long as the flowers bloom on 
our vast prairies, or the waves of the gulf dash on our shores. 
In all the struggles of our Martyr Church for 1,800 years no 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 277 

grander sight was ever displayed. Six hundred Baptists, sur- 
rounded by 8,000,000 angry Mexicans on the west and 60,000 
hostile Indians on the north, resolving to found a great Uni- 
versity. And as our heroic fathers believed more in the Book 
of Acts, than in the Book of Resolutions, they procured a 
charter, and located Baylor University on the beautiful live 
oak hills of Independence. This town was then the most 
central and accessible place in all the settled portion of the 
State. 

Baylor University thus located, poured forth a stream of 
learning, piety and patriotism for forty years. They were 
educated in it, many of the grandest men and noblest women 
Texas ever saw. 

"In the early days and struggles of Texas Baptists, this 
dear old Association not only led in organizing the great en- 
terprises of missions, education, journalism, Sabbath. Schools 
and colportage, but was a generous contributor in every good 
work. The records of the old State Convention will show 
clearly that for the first seven years of the State Conven- 
tion the members of the Union Association contributed from 
one-half to three-fourths of all the money given for missions 
and ministerial education. When we review the history of this 
Association for the last fifty years, we can but exclaim : "What 
hath God wrought?" And with joyous hearts we ought to-day 
to erect an Ebenezer and shout: "'Hitherto hath the Lord 
helped us." Fifty years ago there was one little Association 
and three churches and three preachers. To-day there are over 
one hundred Associations with thirteen hundred churches and 
fourteen hundred ministers and two hundred thousand church 

members." 

* -x- * -x- * * * * 

"A grand factor in the wonderful success of Texas has 
been Christian education. In this great work, Texas Baptists 
have excelled, and continue to excel, all other denominations, 
and the State herself, with her millions of money. The won- 
derful success of Texas Baptists demonstrates the fact that the 
men who educate the youth of the State control the State. 

In conclusion, dear brethren, after reviewing the last 
fifty years, let us thank God and take courage and resolve, by 



278 The Life and Writings of 

God's help, that ?he next fifty years shall be more glorious 
than the last fifty. If our brethren, with only three little 
churches and three preachers and ninety-two members, sur- 
rounded by 8,000,000 hostile Mexicans and 60,000 Indians, 
increased two-thousand-fold in fifty years, what may we not 
do by 1940 ? Can we not establish a Baptist Church and Sab- 
bath School in every neighborhood of Texas and girdle this 
entire planet with Texas Baptist missionaries? 

Let us, to-day, banish every root of bitterness and all 
strife far away from us; let us, in honor, prefer one another; 
let us stand firmly on the old landmarks established by Christ 
and His apostles; let us resolve to ever preach "Jesus only, 
Jesus only," then, when our children shall assemble, per- 
chance on this very spot, to celebrate the 100th anniversary 
of this dear old Association, our beloved Texas will be the 
greatest, wisest, holiest State between the oceans, and, filled 
with millennial light and glory and Baptist Churches, shall 
shine as the stars of heaven. For which let us ever pray, and 
toil, and sacrifice our time, our means, and, if need be, our 
lives." 

Returning to the eighth annual session of the State Con- 
vention held at Independence in 1855, two reports are re- 
produced, in which Dr. Burleson was much interested. Like 
all his published documents, they afford an insight into the 
events of the times, and development of denominational char- 
acter. 

Report of Committee on Education. 

"Your committee to whom was referred the subject of 
education, beg leave to report as follows: That while they 
hope and pray that the time may never come, that mental 
cultivation, either in the ministry or laity, shall take the place 
of holiness of heart, the real in-dwelling of the Holy Ghost; 
that while they should regard such a state of things as fatal 
to the salvation of the soul, and to every interest dear to the 
heart of the Redeemer, still, they are impressed with the neces- 
sity of our presenting to the world a highly intelligent laity, 
and a ministry profoundly learned. The age is advancing, 
and the church and the ministry must be advancing, in order 
to meet the necessities of the age. 



Dr. Eufus C. Burleson. 279 

The Gospel must be carried to every nation, kingdom, 
tribe and people. To comprehend this work, and to do it, we 
must have education, deep thorough, and extensive. Infidelity 
is, in every new age, assuming some new shape — is attaching 
itself to some new branch of learning. To wrest its weapons 
from its mighty hands, and to turn them with potency against 
itself, we must have learning. And more; we, as a denomina- 
tion, have the truth — we are the only denomination that has 
the whole truth, so far as the ordinances of church organization 
are concerned; hence, we have the religious world against us. 
Now, to silence this opposition — to give to the world the pure 
word and a pure gospel — we must have learning. Hence we 
regard the Baptist denomination as under solemn obligations 
to give to the world, and all coming generations, to present to 
the world a pious laity and a holy ministry, armed with all the 
graces of the spirit, and at the same time furnished with all that 
science and learning can do towards aiding him in his great 
work. Hence, we would recommend to all our churches, that 
they foster, with pious solicitude and generous sacrifice, our 
own beloved University; that they sustain our paper, and that 
they furnish themselves and their families, well selected lib- 
raries ; that they, by every lawful means, encourage a taste for 
reading, and that they seek to form habits of thought among 
the children— -the rising generation. 

J. M. MAXCY, 
E. C. BURLESON, 
J. V. "WEIGHT, 

Committee. 

No people were ever more thoroughly saturated with the 
spirit of Missions than the early Texas Baptists. There was 
not a people of any tongue or tribe in the state, to whom 
their attention was not turned, and to whom they did not offer 
the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Much of their time had been em- 
ployed in standing guard over their families, and crops, to 
prevent the first named from being butchered by the Indians, 
and their crops being wasted. They often followed the plow 
with their trusty rines swinging to one handle, to prevent 
themselves from being ruthlessly slaughtered. Neither was it 
an uncommon occurrence for them to carry their guns to the 



280 Tjte Life and Writings of 

church and worship God with a Bible, or Hymn Book in one 
hand, and their rifles in the other. 

Notwithstanding, they were as eager to give the Gospel to 
the Indians, as if they had been the recipients of naught save 
love at their hands. The solicitude for the salvation, and 
spiritual welfare of these people, is indicated by the following 
report : 

Report of Special Committee on Indian Missions. 

"Your committee was appointed to report on the condi- 
tion of those Indians, especially, near Fort Belknap, who are 
under the supervision of the government of the United States. 
There are portions of seventeen different tribes of Indians, 
settled near Fort Belknap, who are now under the supervision 
of agents appointed by the Executive of the United States. 
They are provided with bread and beef by our government, 
and are being taught agricultural and other industrial pur- 
suits. 

"The crop of corn made by the Indians this year was 
good, considering the great drouth. This gives promise of 
what they may do in future. But the government takes no 
oversight of their religious interest. Nor should it. This 
duty is binding on Christians, as such. Owing to our proxi- 
mity to them, it is our duty under God, to do what we can for 
their religious condition, and respectfully call the attention of 
the Indian Mission Board to this subject. "We recommend 
that the Committee or Board appoint some brother, whose duty 
it shall be to visit those tribes, with the permission of the 
agent, and ascertain the propriety of establishing a Mission 
among them, and the probability of finding interpreters, such 
as will enable a minister of Christ to commence early preach- 
ing to them, and to report the result of his visit to the com- 
mittee or board. 

RUFUS C. BURLESON, 
Chairman of the Committee." 

The above report was the subject of an interesting dis- 
cussion by the delegates present. Dr. Burleson introduced the 
following resolution, which was adopted: 

Resolved further, That the Board of Managers be re- 
quested to open a correspondence with the American Indian 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 281 

Mission Association on the importance on establishing an In- 
dian Mission in the limits of Texas, and that this convention 
pledges its hearty co-operation in supporting the same. 

General James W. Barnes the Treasurer, submitted his 
annual report which covered every item of disbursement dur- 
ing the year, and the source from which all money had been 
received. The finances had kept pace with the advance along 
all other lines. The report showed $2,141.84 had been re- 
ceived, $1,972.09 had been paid out, leaving a balance of 
$169.75 in cash in the treasurv. 




282 The Life and Writings of 



CHAPTER XXXIII. 



Convention Ready to Place Any Honor at Dr. Burleson's 
Command — Elected Vice-President in 1856 — A Jubi- 
lee Session — Last Paragraph in the Proceedings — 
H. Clark and P. B. Chandler the only Known Sur- 
vivors of These Early Conventions — Convention 
Adjourned to Meet in Caldwell, but Place Changed 
to huntsville on account of severe drought con- 
VENTION of 1857 — General Houston a Delegate and 
Offers Report on Indian Missions — Romantic Chap- 
ter in Gen. Houston's Life — Lives with the Indians 
■ — Conversant with Indian Character, and Competent 
to Discuss Indian Missions — Dr. Burleson's Report 
and Resolution on Indian Missions — Dr. H. E. Buck- 
ner, and His Consecrated Co-Laborers. 



T 



HE convention was ready to place any honor at Mr. 
Burleson's command lie might desire, but owing to 
onerous and growing school duties he could not ac- 
cept an office that involved any considerable work. When, 
however, it came to the election of officers, at the session held 
in Anderson, October 26th, 1856, he was made one of the Vice- 
Presidents. 

It was here the convention had been organized eight years 
before, and this was made something of a jubilar occasion. 
Mr. Burleson led off, and many others followed in eloquent 
addresses, in which the onward and upward tendency of Bap- 
tist affairs in Texas, was amplified. 



De. Rufus C. Burleson. 283 

Turning to the old M. S. record of the proceedings of 
this session, the following closing paragraph is copied, to show 
how the spirits of these early saints flowed, on that noted 
occasion : 

"After singing a parting hymn, and giving each other the 
parting hand, and a fervent prayer by Rev. Henry L. Graves, 
the convention adjourned to meet at Caldwell, Burleson 
county, on Saturday before the fourth Sabbath in October, 
1857." 

i( And thus ended one of the most pleasant and harmonious 
sessions of this body. A spirit of brotherly love eminently 
characterized all its discussions, and an ardent desire to pro- 
mote the Redeemer's Kingdom, seemed to pervade every ac- 
tion. So may it ever be; and when our work, brethren, shall 
be done, may it be well done, and well approved by our Di- 
vine Lord and Master." 

HORACE CLARK, 
Recording Secretary. 

The man who forty-five years ago, penned the above, is 
still alive, 83 years old, and awaits with complacency the com- 
mand of that Divine Lord, to whom he referred to come up, 
and enjoy unending rest as the reward of a well spent life. 
There may be more, but the only other man now living, De- 
cember 20th, 1901, the day on which this chapter is written, 
who participated in these early conventions, is that noble old 
Roman, P. B. Chandler, now 85 years old. 

Ah ! but these old sanctified spirits, and saintly souls, who 
then lived in the brush, read their Bibles by torchlights, rode 
hundreds of miles to these meetings on horseback, staked their 
horses and slept under trees en route, raised their children on 
sheep skins, lived on bread and the promises of God, gave to 
missions, and sold rawhides to raise the money, and worshiped 
God on puncheon floors, may have been, and doubtless were 
deprived of many of the luxuries, and even comforts which the 
people enjoy to-day, but their souls were mellow with the 
Love of God, and they so lived, that they could reach out, 
day or night, and catch His Divine hand. 

As noticed the convention adjourned at Anderson to meet 
in Caldwell, but a foot note to the proceedings says, "in con- 



284 The Life and Writings of 

sequence of a severe drought prevailing in Burleson county, 
the place for holding the session of the convention in 1857, 
was changed to Huntsville, Walker county." The convention 
therefore met in Huntsville October 24th, 1857, and remained 
in session four days. 

Mr. Burleson presented the report of the committee on 
Sunday Schools, which is here given for the reasons, that we 
have not heretofore referred to his advocacy and love for this 
institution, and second, because the report is a most excellent 
production. 

Report on Sabbath Schools. 

Sabbath Schools have long since lost the charm of nov- 
elty, and your committee are impressed deeply with the con- 
viction that their importance is overlooked and also that we are 
falling into some fatal errors. We will therefore present the 
following dictates and suggestions for your prayerful consid- 
eration : 

First. That all human experience demonstrates that 
early impressions are most powerful and usually fix our destiny 
for good or evil, for eternal joy or misery. Geologists find that 
when the molded lava is first thrown up and in a formative 
state that a little sparrow lighting upon it will leave its foot- 
prints for thousands of years; so with the moral want when first 
cast upon the shores of time. Impressions then made usually 
give a moral tinge or coloring which grow brighter or blacker 
not only in time but forever. 

In view of these facts statesmen and philosophers have 
ever felt the deepest solicitude for the rising generation. 
Roman mothers were so careful on this point that they would 
not commit their sons and daughters to any but the most 
eminent for purity and patriotism. Sparta provided for the 
education of the youth at the public expense. Luther charged 
his co-laborers "be sure to train the children." "Take care 
of the children and success is sure." The great and good Dr. 
Watts spent years of his life in composing "sacred songs for 
the children," and nothing in his whole life indicates more 
clearly his profound wisdom. 

But One, greater than all the statesmen, poets and di- 
vines said, "Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid 



Dn. Rufus C. Burleson. 285 

them not." And when he takes them up in His arms and 
blesses them, He leaves an example never to be forgotten nor 
to be neglected. In view of such facts how painful is it to 
learn that a number of churches have no Sabbath Schools and 
no means for the religious instruction for the youth, and 
learn, too, how many of our members and even preachers are 
never seen in the Sunday School, while scores of children 
wander about the streets and neighborhood "corrupting with 
one another." Our endurance and neglect is rendered more 
fearful from the course of the enemies of religion. 

Infidels following ;he example of Yoltaire and Volney 
are exerting every power by books, periodicals, "and philos- 
ophy so-called," to sow the seeds of skepticism in the minds of 
our young men and thus introduce another "Reign of Terror," 
and, fasten the chain of error upon the first consciousness of 
childhood. In view of these solemn facts your committee in 
conclusion would urge that they have church organizations 
and Sabbath Schools. 

Second. That preachers and parents co-operate with 
teachers by their counsels and presence to awaken and in- 
crease their interest in Sabbath Schools. 

Third. Let us as Baptists not only send our children to 
Sabbath School, but indoctrinate them early and fully in the 
peculiar and heaven-born doctrines of our church, so that when 
we are gone they may stand like the ocean behind rocks, 
amidst all the dashing billows of error and infidelity and be- 
come blessed pillars in the temple of God. 
Respectfully submitted, 

R C. BURLESON, Chairman. 

General Sam Houston was a member of the convention, 
a delegate from the Hunts ville church. He was made chair- 
man of the committee on Indian Missions. He presented the 
report of the committee to the convention, and discussed the 
subject before that body. 

Report on Indian Missions. 

Your committee on Indian Missions have had the same 
under consideration, and beg leave to report, that in the judg- 
ment of your committee the only available plan to accomplish 



286 The Life and Writings oe 

anything with the Indians on our frontier, would be to recom- 
mend to the government to make an appropriation to erect suit- 
able buildings and instruction schools under the supervision 
of such missionary as may be appointed by your Board for that 
purpose, and to preach in the surrounding country to the desti- 
tute. 

That this is an enterprise worthy of our prayerful con- 
sideration, will appear self -evidently clear by reference to the 
report of our Missionaries of last year. In that we see some 
five or six hundred children there at two stations under the 
age of 12 years old. Could these children be gathered into 
schools and their young minds raised from their present chan- 
nel of degradation and shame, to the paths of virtue and knowl- 
edge, then might their parents and the whole nation he reached 
by the glorious results that eternity alone can fully develop. 

All of which is respectfully submitted, 

SAM HOUSTON, Chairman. 

No man was better prepared to discuss this subject than 
this old Christian hero. He had spent three years with the 
Cherokee Indians in Western Arkansas in his younger days, 
and no person then living had a better insight into their lives 
and a clearer conception of the spiritual side of their charac- 
ters. This will be admitted when the following history of 
Gen. Houston's connection with these untutored savages has 
been read. The quotation is from "The Life of Sam Hous- 
ton," by Dr. Wm. Carey Crane. In order to make this chap- 
ter in Gen. Houston's life intelligent, which easily equals, if it 
does not eclipse, in all the elements of romance any truthful 
story ever told, and to present the reasons for his voluntary 
exilement, it must be understood that ''In January, 1829, he 
was married to a young lady of reputable connections, and 
gentle character. Her kindred were personal and political 
friends of Gen. Houston, and had zealously supported him in 
his political canvasses. The whole country was taken by sur- 
prise when, about three months afterward, a separation took 
place No publication, either by Gen. Houston or the lady, 
has ever furnished the reason for this remarkable proceeding. 
Unfounded reports, born of bitter malignity, were scattered 
through Tennessee, and the popular feeling was so completely 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 287 

inflamed that, in this strange excitement, the State was divided 
into two hostile parties. His name was denounced, imperti- 
nent disturbers of the peace did not hesitate to charge him 
with every species of crime ever committed by man. He 
offered no denial to these allegations, and to his dying day ever 
spoke of this lady in terms of unqualified respect and kindness. 
He never authorized any explanation of this singular event, 
but was wont to say in reply to all inquiry : 'This is a pain- 
ful, but a private affair. I do not recognize the right of the 
public to inquire into it, and shall treat the public as though 
it had never happened. And remember that, whatever may 
be said by the lady or her friends, it is no part of the conduct 
of a gallant or generous man to take up arms against a woman. 
If my character cannot withstand the shock, let me lose it. This 
storm will soon sweep by, and time will be my vindicator. 7 
Over fifty years have elapsed since this strange event occurred, 
and it cannot do any party to this strange affair any injustice 
to make the only statement known to have been made by him 
to another. ************* 

Nearly two years after his death, and about two years 
before the second Mrs. Houston's death (1867), she gave the 
writer (Dr. W. C. Crane) the only clew to the separation from 
the first Mrs. Houston that ever escaped the General's lip3. It 
can be summed up in a few words. ******* 
The first Mrs. Houston, three months after the marriage, 
admitted to her husband that he had not won her heart. To a 
man of Gen. Houston's fervid impulses, poetical temperament, 
and knightly attachment to woman's virtues, this admission 
was overwhelming. The heroism which had dared death on 
the battlefield, the fortitude which had endured the excru- 
ciating pain of unhealed wounds, were insufficient for the 
ordeal, and he succumbed and resolved upon exile among the 
Indians. 



While a runaway boy among the Cherokee Indians in the 
Hi Wassee country, Oolooteka,, the chief, adopted young Hous- 
ton as his son, and gave him shelter and protection. In the 
course of events this chief had removed to Arkansas, and had 
become principal chief of his tribe in that country. Tokens of 



288 The Life and Writings of 

fond recollection passed between him and his adopted son 
during their separation. 

Eleven eventful years had passed, but their attachment 
knew no abatement. Resigning the gubernatorial chair of 
Tennessee, he determined to wend his way to the wigwam of 
this old Cherokee chief. * * * * * * Embarking 
on a steamer on the Cumberland River, he separated from his 
devoted friends, amid evidences of warm affection, presenting 
a scene of touching tenderness. The chief honors of the State 
had crowned him. He had filled its highest stations. In the 
strength and vigor of his early manhood, he stood forth, in his 
thirty-fifth year, a man of the people, toward whose future 
promotion all his friends had looked with eager anticipations 
of a brilliant career. *********** 

From Nashville he went by steamer to Little Rock, thence 
400 miles to the northwest to the falls of the Arkansas River. 
He traveled alternately by land and water. Near the mouth 
of the Illinois, on the east side of the Arkansas, the old Chief 
Oolooteka had built his wigwam. Above Fort Smith, on 
both sides of the river, the Cherokees had settled. * * * 
It was night when the boat reached the landing. A message 
was sent to the chief that Colonebe (Gen. Houston's Indian 
name) had arrived. Bringing with him all his family, the 
chief came to greet his adopted son. Throwing his arms 
around him, and embracing him with great affection, the old 
chief said: 'My son > eleven winters have passed since we 
met. My heart has wondered often where you were. I 
heard you were a great chief among your people. 'Since we 
parted by the falls as you went up the river, I have heard that 
a dark cloud had fallen on the white path you were walking, 
and when it fell on your way, you turned toward my wig- 
wam. I am glad. It was done by the Great Spirit. There 
are many wise men among your people, and they have many- 
counselors in your section. We are in trouble, and the Great 
Spirit has sent you to us, to give us counsel and take trouble 
away from us. I know you will be our friend, for our hearts 
are near to you, and you will tell our trouble to the Great 
Father, Gen. Jackson. My wigwam is yours; my home is 
yours; my people are yours; rest with us.' 



De. Ruftts C. Burleson. 289 

Such a greeting took largely from his breast the bitter 
gloom and sorrow of the past few weeks. He was at home and 
the wanderer had rest." 

Here he remained three years, rendering every service 
possible in redressing the wrongs of these people, meanwhile 
studying their character and habits, until manifest destiny 
called him to Texas. The struggling State was not the only 
beneficiary of his coming. Baptist councils were aided by his 
advice, and Baylor University with both his mind and means. 

In Texas he was not only to deal with Anglo-Saxons and 
the principles of human liberty, Mexicans and Mexican des- 
potism, but with uncounted tribes of Indians, with their pecu- 
liar idiosyncracies as well. In his exile he had studied their 
character carefully, and hence not only knew what they 
needed, and exactly how to approach them, but to plan for 
their advancement. A more beautiful specimen of English 
composition is not to be found in the whole range of English 
literature than Gen. Houston's letter to Red Bear, written in 
old Washington-on-the-Brazos, dated October the 18th, 1842. 
And, while it forms no part of this record, the inclination to 
insert it is almost irresistible. 

Dr. Burleson's relations with Gen. Houston were of the 
most intimate character. They discussed all subjects freely 
and confidentially. They had talked over the spiritual condi- 
tion of the Texas Indians, which, possibly, led Mr. Burleson 
to make his report on Indian Missions during the session of the 
convention held at Anderson in 1856, in which he insisted that 
"it is our duty as Christians to do what we can for these peo- 
ple." And later in the session to introduce the resolution ?;nd 
recommend that the "Board of Managers of the convention 
open correspondence with the American Indian Mission Asso- 
ciation on the supreme importance of establishing an Indian 
Mission within the limits of Texas." 

It is not claimed that during the years that Gen. Houston 
lived with Indians in Arkansas that he then bestowed any 
thought on their religious condition and the importance of 
taking any steps whatever looking to the establishment of 
missions among them. He was not then a Christian, and his 
mind was engrossed with his own troubles and the affairs of 

19 



290 



The Life axd "Writings of 



the world. After his conversion, however, Mr. Burleson's 
report on this subject and his resolutions directed Gen. Hous- 
ton's mind to this field and to these neglected people, and 
induced him to present the report on the subject at the session 
of the convention held in Huntsville in 1857. 

Who knows, and who but God does know, but what these 
acts of Dr. Burleson and Gen. Houston, in Baptist State Con- 
vention of Texas, in 1856 and 1857, held at Anderson and 
Huntsville, may have, in some way, at some time, in some 
place, influenced Dr. H. F. Buckner to consecrate his life and 
give his life for the good of these people. And from this 
beginning, through the influence of this great man and all 
who labored with him, the present standing and strength of 
Baptists among the Indians in the territory has grown. 




Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 291 



CHAPTER XXXIV. 



Texas Pathmae^rs Came in a Struggle, Lived Amid Con- 
flict, Worked Without Means, and Built for All 
Time — Not Moved by the Courage of Cowards, but 
From a Sense of Duty and Love for Humanity — To 
Say They Were Not Successful Would Be to Brand 
a Thousand Records as Brazen Lies — Dr. Burleson 
Elected President of the Convention in 1858 — Re- 
elected in 1859 — Rev. H. Garrett Reports Baylor 
Booming — New Buildings Erected — Dr. Burleson 
Takes a Vacation — Travels East — Visits the Mam- 
moth Cave — Bottomless Pit — Eat Man's Misery — > 
Bunyan's Way — Echo River — Gorin's Dome — Meth- 
odist Church. 

" God give us men! A time like this demands 

Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands ; 
Men whom the lust of office does not kill, 

Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy, 
Men who possess opinions and a will, 

Men who have honor, men who will not lie, 
Men who can stand before a demagogue, 

And damn his treacherous flatteries without winking ! 
Tall men, sun crowned, who live above the fog 

In public duty and in private thinking. 
For while the rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds, 

Their large professions and their little deeds, 
Mingle in selfish strife — lo! Freedom weeps, 

Wrong rules the land, and waiting Justice sleeps!" 



m\Y -^ -^O State in the American Union have the Path- 
LfcjLj makers more cheerfully answered this call and more 
^^J fully filled this demand, than the trench-diggers of 
Texas during the times of which we have written and are now 
writing. 



292 The Life and Writings of 

They came in a struggle, lived among conflicts, worked 
without means, and built for all time. They did not move 
forward with the courage of cowards, pressed into service at 
the point of the bayonet, but were all volunteers, actuated 
by a sense of duty, love for God, their country and humanity. 
To say that their struggles were not successful would be to 
brand a thousand records as brazen lies, and denounce a thou- 
sand ocular demonstrations as halucinatory monstrosities and 
every one of the five senses enfeebled, if not in a state of ruin. 

They not only fought for a place to stand, but hewed out 
a government, fostered commerce, provided for transportation 
facilities, built churches, established schools, and reckoned for 
everything else desirable in civilized life. 

The Baptist State Convention met at Independence, Octo- 
ber 23d, 1858. Thirty churches and eleven associations were 
represented. Dr. R. C. Burleson was elected President. The 
convention employed eleven missionaries for this year, who 
reported fourteen churches organized and three hundred and 
eleven persons baptized. The Board of Trustees stated that 
an elegant three-story stone building had been completed for 
the Female Department of Baylor University, and the Law and 
all other departments of the school in a flourishing condition. 
The convention adjourned to meet in Waco, October 2 2d, 
1859. The delegates complained that Waco would be a little 
hard to reach, but, nevertheless, in deference to the wishes of 
the members of the little Baptist Church of that place, they 
would start early, ride horseback, camp out, swim creeks, and 
be on hand. They were there, and the swelling tide of suc- 
cess came from every part of the State. Dr. R. C. Burleson 
was re-elected President. 

Dr. J. R. Graves, from Memphis, Tenn., attended this 
session of the convention, and caused every Baptist in the State 
to stand erect, take courage and walk faster by one of the 
masterly sermons for which he was proverbial. 

Rev. H. Garrett, President of the Board of Trustees of 
Baylor University, in his annual report to the convention 
stated that a two-story stone structure for the Male Depart- 
ment was in an advanced stage of completion ; and that plans 
for a three-story building, 56x112 feet, to cost $30,000, had 
been adopted, $15,000 of which amount had been raised. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 293 

The first story of the proposed building was completed 
by Major A. G-. Haynes, at an expense of $6,500. The war 
of 1861 coming on, building operations were suspended, the 
subscriptions to the building fund rendered valueless, and 
Major Haynes lost 80 per cent of the amount he had 
advanced. « 

Dr. Burleson, having discharged the arduous duties of 
corresponding secretary of the convention for six consecutive 
years, President of Baylor University eight, President of the 
convention for two, preaching every Sunday to some weak 
church, traveling and lecturing in the interest of the school, 
greatly needed respite from his work. He, therefore, took a 
trip East, including many places in Alabama, Mississippi and 
Kentucky in the itinerary. His letters to his wife, members 
of the Faculty, Board of Trustees and personal friends while 
on this tour are racy, entertaining and rich. All are worth pre- 
serving, but as this would make this memoir too voluminous, 
we reproduce only one. This particular letter is selected from 
the great number as possessing more general interest. It was 
written to Mrs. Burleson : 

Mammoth Cave, Sept. 7, 1859. 
My Dear Georgia: 

This morning, after a hearty breakfast, our company, con- 
sisting of Mr. Shropshire and his bride, from Columbus, 
Texas; Mr. Austill of Mobile, Mr. Marshall and his sweet, 
modest daughter, Bettie, of Claiborn, Alabama, and Mr. Mar- 
shall and his thoroughgoing wife (just like Mrs. Captain 
Fuller) and their beautiful daughter, Lillie, of Mobile, and 
Mr. Andrews, a Presbyterian preacher, and Mr. Chapman of 
Ohio and myself, dressed up in "Cave Costume" to "see 
sights" in this worldwide wonder. And do you think you 
would have known me with a little red fLanel round-about coat 
on, a rough pair of pants and a little slick cap ? I was a sight. 
The ladies were all dressed in dark gray flannel, tipped with 
red, made in genuine bloomer style, and didn't they look funny ? 
Upon my word, they looked like boys going to school, and how 
ashamed they seemed at first! 

We left the splendid hotel, capable of entertaining three 
hundred persons (who flock here from Calcutta and China and 



294: The Life and "Writings of 

every part of Europe and America) , and after walking one 
hundred and fifty yards down a long hollow we came to the 
mouth of the cave, surrounded with tall poplar trees. Each 
lady and gentleman was furnished by our excellent guide, 
Mat (who has been a guide here for twenty-three years), with 
a lamp and walking stick. For the first half mile we saw 
nothing of peculiar interest, except the saltpeter works, where 
saltpeter and gunpowder were made in 1812 and 1814. 

The vats, troughs, wooden pipes, and even the corncobs, 
on which they fed the oxen, were as sound as they were forty- 
seven years ago. Such is the influence of the dryness of this 
part of the cave and the salt atmosphere. The tracks of the 
cart wheels and the oxen, made in soft mud, but now petrified, 
are as distinctly seen as they were when first made in 1812. 

The first objects of peculiar interest were natural forma- 
tions of rock representing perfectly a giant's coffin, forty feet 
long ; the lid was as perfect as I ever saw on a ootfin ; with two 
other natural formations /representing his Wife ,and child 
weeping by his coffin. The next object of peculiar interest 
was a beautiful cascade, falling about twenty-five or thirty feet. 
Soon the old guide called "Bottomless pit, be careful/' and in 
a moment we were right over the awful cavern, down which 
we threw rock, and heard them going down, down, down, till 
the sound died away. You have heard me in a sermon allude 
to the horrible instance of man losing his light and falling over- 
board. 

My soul was horror-stricken when I gazed down into this 
dark and horrible vortex, especially when one of our company, 
foolhardy like, rushed out and stood upon the "slippery verge" 
of the bottomless pit itself. ' Some of our ladies grew faint at 
the very sight. 

Oh, how like sinners who daily sport and laugh on the 
^ery verge of the bottomless pit of eternal burning! Soon 
we passed "Minerva Dome," which was about seventy feet 
high, and then "side-saddle pit," which was about 100 feet 
deep. We then squeezed through a natural channel, worn 
through a solid limestone rock about a foot, and very crooked, 
fitly called "Fat Man's Misery," and so it proved to be to the 
big, fat men of our company. The guide smiled and said, 
"Ladies, this road was made under the 'old constitution,' 'be- 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 295 

fore hoops came in fashion.' " I thought it might have been 
called "Tall Man's Misery/' for I had to bend nearly double 
to get along. The old guide said, Ladies and gentlemen, I 
could carry you through "Bunyan's Way," but you would 
have to crawl on your hands and feet one hundred and fifty 
yards." Thus has the immortal dreamer written his name 
wherever human beings go or human hearts beat in sympathy 
with genius. 

We then passed Bacon House Cave, just like a smoke- 
house, and then "The DeacJ Sea," a sluggish pool thirty feet 
deep. We also crossed "The River Styx" on a "natural 
bridge," as "Charon's boat" had floated away amid the misty 
and beautiful legends of the Greeks. We also crossed in a 
ferryboat, "Lettie," a little sluggish /Stream, but it didn't 
make some of our company forget their fears. One man 
declared he had "an ager," and one beautiful maiden, with 
pallid cheeks, declared she had not "one particle of curiosity," 
which was the first time I ever gave full credit to such a 
declaration from one of the fair sex. Indeed, times were a 
little skittish. It was damp, and we were three miles from 
the mouth of the cave, and about three hundred feet under 
ground. 

We next came to "Echo River," and walked down its 
sandy banks three hundred yards. In order to drive away the 
fears of the timid, and by way of keeping up my courage (like 
a boy whistling in a graveyard), I challenged a young man, 
Mr. Shropshire, of Columbus, Texas, to a trial of strength in 
going the running jump. After several trials I came off vic- 
tor by throwing my feet and legs forward and falling flat on 
my back in the deep, loose sand. Would not this have looked 
funny at Baylor University ? Our band, which we had hired, 
struck up a lively tune and revived our courage enough to 
take a ride of one and three-fourths miles on the "Echo River." 
The sound of the ladies' voices in singing echoed and re- 
echoed beautifully. 

The musicians had walked on through a terrible way, 
called "Purgatory," and got ahead of us, and, oh ! how lovely 
did "Annie Laurie" float along the dark stillness of this won- 
derful stream. The old guide told us to repeat some name 
and hear it echo back from the dark cavern below. I repeated 



296 The Life and Writings of 

aloud "Georgia," and the echo came back "Georgia." I called 
aloud "Jonnie," and the sweet little name came back 
"Jonnie !" I said "Find papa," and the echo found papa 
crying, for I could not see those sweet little eyes turned on 
me. Here Jenny Lind sang beautifully on her visit to the 
cave in 1849. 

Our guide fired off a pistol and it roared like a cannon. 
Our ladies were getting very tired, and we had reluctantly to 
turn our course back, and did not get to see Cleveland's Grotto, 
three miles from ''Echo River," and said to have such beauti- 
ful formations of white rock as to represent lilies and roses 
and a perfect flower garden, six miles under ground. ¥e 
retraced our steps, and reached "Richardson Spring" at 12 
o'clock, in time for dinner, which we ate with a fine appetite. 

We next visited "Gorin Dome," three hundred feet high. 
It beggars all description. To be understood it must be seen. 
Our guide lighted a sulphurous taper and threw it down, and 'it 
sent forth a purple light that illuminated the dome from top to 
bottom. We then came back within a mile of the mouth of 
the cave and took the main channel, the arch of which is from 
sixty to ninety feet from the bottom. We passed by several 
small cabins, which were built here sixteen years ago by con- 
sumptive persons to live in, hoping that the uniform tempera- 
ture would cure them, but it was rather injurious, for every 
one that lived here died after they came out, though they felt 
well when they were here. 

We next visited the "Star Chamber," one of the grandest 
scenes on the earth or under the earth. The cave is about sixty 
feet wide and eighty feet high and five hundred feet long. At 
the top there is a perfect galaxy of stars and a comet, formed 
by bright particles of store jutting through the black gyp- 
sum. "We wondered and still the wonder grew." The old 
guide carried all our lamps behind some ledges of rocks, and 
as the lights disappeared he gave us the exact appearance of a 
thunder cloud coming up. We could see the stars as they dis- 
appeared behind the dark cloud. Then he disappeared 
entirely in a small by-cave, and such darkness as enveloped us ! 
Why, I reached out my hand and tried to feel it. Very soon 
the guide appeared as a ghost shrouded in a bright mist, and 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 297 

soon we saw the most hideous light any opium eater every saw. 
The guide had, by putting six lamps on each arm, and extend- 
ing them upward, represented the open jaws of some terrible 
monster, and he so worked his fingers in the light as to repre- 
sent teeth covered with blood. 

"We next visited the floating cloud hall, and then "Gothic 
Chamber," which is about three-fourths of a mile long and 
exceedingly beautiful. 

Lastly we visited the "Methodist Church," a magnificent 
room, with a pulpit twenty feet up on the wall. The ceiling 
was about sixty feet high, and the cave was at least 
eighty feet wide and two hundred feet long. There, 
sixty years ago, the pioneer Methodists used to preach the 
gospel, and I should think, to get a sinner in here and preach 
"kell fire" and the "bottomless pits' 7 to him, he would repent 
and 'get religion" as quick as he could lose it. We saw the 
logs they used for seats. They were not backed nor cushioned, 
but hewed logs. 

"We then had a grand appearance of daylight dawning as 
we approached the mouth of the cave, and then we emerged 
into daylight again after having been in the cave from 8 
o'clock till 4 p. m. 

Yours affectionately, 

RUFUS C. BURLESON". 

Mr. Burleson visited his old home on Flint river before 
returning from this tour, and preached at Mt. Pisgah, the 
church he had joined twenty years before. This has 
already been alluded to, but is recalled to relate a touching 
incident of the service. His stepmother, between whom and 
himself all the affectionate relations of mother and son existed, 
was advanced in life, in feeble health, and had been for months 
confined to her home. Every member of the family attended 
the service, but at first she did not feel able to do so. After 
they had gone, the desire to hear her son preach overcame 
physical infirmities and pain, and she called two negro boys. 
One she told to hitch the horses to the carriage; the other to 
go to the church in all haste and ask her son not to begin the 
sermon until she arrived. The runner reached the church 
just as Mr. Burleson entered the pulpit. Capt. Burleson 



298 



The Life and Writings of 



approached him and said: "My son, your mother has just 
sent a boy to tell me she had decided to come out, and wants 
you to wait until her arrival before commencing." Mr. Bur- 
leson announced another hymn, and by the time it was fin- 
ished his mother drove up, stopped at a, side window, in full 
view of her preacher son, and remained in the carriage while 
he told the story of the cross. As he proceeded, tears of joy 
trickled down this saintly mother's cheek, which visibly 
affected the son, and this, in turn, the congregation, until all 
were in tears. The scene was touching beyond description. 




Dr. Bufus C. Burleson. 299 



CHAPTER XXXV 



Dr. Burleson's Dominating, Absorbing Purpose Was to 
Make Baylor University the Peer of Any Institution 
on the Continent — A Man of Many Ideas — Inter- 
ested in All Public Questions — Early Canvass for 
Railroads — Elected Vice-President at the Fif- 
teenth Session of the State Convention — Published 
Proceedings of State Convention in 1848 and 1898 — 
Pirst Catalogue of Baylor University in 1852, and 
Catalogue of Same School in 1898 Compared — Cur- 
tain on First Era of Dr. Burleson's Life Dropped, 
and Scene Shifted to "Waco. 



Ip ROM the day Dr. Burleson resigned the pastorate of 
gag the First Baptist Church of Houston, in 1851, the 
SSI dominating, controlling and absorbing purpose of 
his life was to make Baylor University the peer of any insti- 
tution of learning on the continent. Notwithstanding this 
fact, he was a man of many ideas. His affections he never 
permitted to be divided, but he knew what was transpiring in 
the country, and extended a helping hand to every worthy 
enterprise, i and encouraged every scheme that had for its 
object the glory and good of the world. He worked for edu- 
cation, all the plans of the convention, railroads, factories, 
transportation facilities, the growth of towns. He was inter- 
ested in all political questions, and deeply concerned for the 
welfare and prosperity of the State, as scores of letters, found 
among his papers, from Governors Houston, Pease, Coke, 
Boss, Ireland, Hubbard, Hogg and Culberson indicate. 



300 The Life and Writings of 

Among the earliest canvasses intended to encourage the 
construction of railroads in the State was made by Dr. Burle- 
son. General Houston sought him at his home at Indepen- 
dence in 1853 for the purpose of conferring with him and 
reaching some conclusion as to the wisest plan to adopt 
to foster railroad construction. Dr. Burleson took the 
matter up, delivered addresses at railroad meetings, and con- 
tributed many articles to the press emphasizing the importance 
of this means of developing Texas. The task was by no means 
easy. The people were not perhaps hostile to railroads, but 
were suspicious of the men who proposed them, and much 
more suspicious of all plans proposed for building them. They 
recalled the questionable methods of the "Texas Railroad, 
Navigation and Banking Company' 7 in this direction, com- 
menced in 1839. The history of this huge corporation, with 
a capital stock of $10,000,000, was unsavory, and while rail- 
roads were valuable, perhaps, in promoting the material devel- 
opment of the country, yet all companies projecting them 
might prove to be of the same ilk. While advocating rail- 
road construction and favoring a liberal State policy toward 
them; he insisted that the Government should reserve the right 
to control these highways. His efforts accomplished good, 
and were continued both at Independence and Waco in later 
years. 

Mr. Burleson attended the fourteenth session of the con- 
vention, held at Huntsville, October 29th, 1861, and preached, 
by request, in the Methodist Church. He also attended the 
session held in Waco, October 25th, 1862, and was made one 
of the three Vice-Presidents. 

From this time on, until 1885, he disappears from the 
record of the convention, except to receive its courtesies as a 
visitor, having become a constituent of the General 
Association. 

We have thus far traced Dr. Burleson's record from his 
birth, in 1823, through his boyhood and manhood, to 1861. 
when he tendered his resignation as President of Baylor Uni- 
versity at Independence. We then dropped back and traced 
his connection with the Baptist State Convention from its 
organization, in 1848, until 1864. 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 301 

We have striven to avoid becoming tedious in reciting the 
events of his interesting career, but careful to omit nothing 
important in the record, for the obvious reason that it was 
during this period in his life that he was making history. 

Dr. Burleson performed a much greater amount of work 
for the University at Waco than for the University at Inde- 
pendence; so, also, he did more work in the General Associa- 
tion than in the State Convention, but made less history. 

To illustrate what is meant we will state : The proceed- 
ings of the first session of the Baptist State Convention, in 
1848, is a little pamphlet containing twelve pages. The pro- 
ceedings of the fiftieth session, held in Waco, in 1898, is a 
book of 155 pages. The last lacks only one page of being 
thirteen times as large as the first. Still not a precedent was 
established in the fiftieth session, while the proceedings of the 
first session were all precedents. 

Again. The first catalogue issued of Baylor University, 
at Independence, in 1852, was a little pamphlet of fourteen 
small pages. The catalogue issued of the same school, at 
Waco, in 1898, is an elegant book of 103 pages; yet the first 
little catalogue required greater mental and mechanical effort 
than the last. For this reason we are not impressed that from 
this time on it is important to make the record so voluminous. 

In addition to the reason expressed we are led to this 
conclusion by the following considerations : 

First. The events of the closing years of Dr. Burleson's 
life are well known. They are too essentially a part of the 
history of Texas to be ignored or overlooked. 

Second. To adhere to the plan heretofore pursued 
would make this record more voluminous than is necessary or 
desirable. 

The curtain on the first era of Dr. Burleson's life in 
Texas is dropped, and the scene shifted to Waco. 

We shall not attempt to step in Dr. Burleson's footprints 
from Waco in the exact order in which they were made, but 
will attend him in a succession as follows : 

First. Give a condensed summary of the progress of 
education in Texas, and Dr. Burleson's efforts to establish a 
system of public schools. The importance and value of this 



302 The Life and Writings of 

service will be something of a surprise to those who have not 
studied his life carefully. 

Second. His connection with the Baptist General Asso- 
ciation of Texas will be traced from the organization of this 
body, in 1868, to its consolidation with the Baptist State Con- 
vention in 1885, when the consolidated body became the 
Baptist General Convention of Texas. 

Third. His connection with the Baptist General Conven- 
tion of Texas from 1885 to 1901.. 

Fourth. His connection with Waco University from 
1861 to the consolidation of Waco and Baylor Universities in 
1885, when the consolidated school became Baylor University. 

Sixth. His connection with Baylor University from 
1885 to 1901. 

Thus dividing his public services, divides his life also 
in exact halves in respect to years. Having been born in 
1823, he was just thirty-seven years old when he resigned the 
presidency of Baylor University at Independence in 1861. 
From 1861 to 1898 is thirty-seven years, and at this time he 
was made president emeritus of Baylor University by the 
Board of Trustees, which marks the date of his retirement 
from active public life. 




Dk. Rufus C. Burleson. 303 



CHAPTER XXXVI 



Education in Texas Under Spanish Dominion and Mexi- 
can Rule — Population — Society — Missions — Revolu- 
tion in Mexico — The Empire — Republic — Constitu- 
tion of 1824 — Provisions for Education Under the 
Federal Constitution — Constitution of Coahuila and 
Texas — Provisions for Public Schools in the State 
Constitution — The Eirst American School — Report 
of Almonte — Efforts of the Colonists Toward Edu- 
cation — The First Female Academy in Texas — Inde- 
pendence Academy — Baylor University — Descrip- 
tion of a Mexican School in 1825 — Character of the 
American Colonist — Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa 
Anna — Revolt of the American Colonists. 



H I J N ORDER to present more clearly the splendid service 
gfeg performed by Dr. Burleson in behalf of public edu- 
*™*^ l cation in Texas, it has been found to be necessary to 
take more than a cursory view of this interesting subject. He 
vitalized constitutional provisions that had remained dormant 
and inoperative for years and invested it with an interest not 
hitherto known. 

It is assumed that the only educational instruction offered 
in Texas when a separate province of Spain, at the beginning 
of the last century, was of a parochial character, and that it 
was provided by Roman Catholic priests. The only learning 
disseminated by them at the various missions and the few mili- 
tary establishments was of a religious nature, and intended to 
propagate the doctrines of the Catholic Church. These 



304 The Life and Writings of 

priests were generally men of fair classical education, as were 
also many of the officers of the regular service. 

They no doubt exerted some influence in guiding and 
moderating the fierce temper of frontier life, and in setting a 
wholesome example, which produced imitative effects upon a 
rude population. In 1806 the civilized inhabitants of Texas 
numbered 7,000, and the country was in a more prosperous 
condition than it had ever been before. 

Many new settlers came into the country about the close 
of the year, and brought with them some wealth. This move- 
ment was influenced, no doubt, by the recent "Louisiana Pur- 
chase," under the Jefferson administration. 

San Antonio was then the principal town in Texas, and 
was then, as now, in a flourishing state. The buildings, though 
generally of mud, were numerous, and occupied an extensive 
area. The population was about 2,000, only a few of whom 
were Americans. From a Spanish standpoint, it was a pleas- 
ant place of residence on account of the society. It was a 
garrisoned town and was the capital of the province. The sev- 
eral missions in the vicinity added greatly to the impor- 
tance of the place, socially as well as commercially. As these 
were the homes of the missionaries, who were engaged in con- 
verting and educating the Indians, they may with propriety 
be designated as the first educational institutions established 
in Texas. The least conspicuous of these mission schools, but 
destined to become of great historical importance, was the 
Alamo. 

Nacogdoches, founded in 1778, became also an important 
and historic town, and promised, until the great oil discovery 
at Beaumont, to hold its position as the commercial center of 
East Texas. In 1806, Nacogdoches contained about 500 
inhabitants, among whom, as at San Antonio, there were very 
few Americans. 

The revolutionary forces, which threatened invasion, dis- 
quieted the people, and the hostility of Indians made fugitives 
of large numbers, until Texas was almost restored to a state 
of nature. 

This condition of affairs continued until Stephen F. Aus- 
tin and others executed their contracts by settling a large 



De. Rufus 0. Bubleson. 305 

number of American families in the country. The contracts 
under which these families were introduced were very liberal. 
Austin's success is a matter of history, as are also his efforts in 
behalf of the colonists. 

Prior to this time the revolution in Mexico, which had 
for some time been sustained, was accomplished. Iturbide 
became Emperor and administered for two years, when he 
abdicated in obedience to the will of the people. The Federal 
Constitution of January 31st, 1824, was adopted by the Repub- 
lic of Mexico. The first Congress passed a decree May 7th, 
1824, known as the constitutional act, uniting Texas with 
Coahuila as one State, by reason of the small population. The 
first Congress of this new State was duly installed August 
15th, 1824, at Saltillo, and entered upon the discharge of its 
legislative duties. Congress formulated a constitution March 
11th, 1827. It provided that the Congress was to be com- 
posed of twelve Deputies, of which Texas was entitled to two. 

The Federal Constitutoin provided: "In all the towns 
of the State a suitable number of primary schools shall be 
established, wherein shall be taught reading, writing and arith- 
metic, the catechism of the Christian religion, a brief and 
simple explanation of the Constitution of the State, and 
Republic, the rights and duties of man in society, and what- 
ever else may conduce to the better education of the youth; 
that the seminaries most required for affording the means of 
instruction in the sciences and arts useful to the State; and 
wherein the Constitution shall be fully explained, shall be 
established in suitable places, and in proportion as circum- 
stances go or may permit. The method of teaching shall be 
uniform throughout the State ; and with a view also to indicate 
the same, Congress shall form a general plan of education, and 
regulate by means of statute and laws all that pertains to this 
most important subject." 

"Thus early, and in this manner, was provision made by 
organic law looking to the adoption of a plan of general public 
education, or common schools. " 

As usual with new governments, the question of promot- 
ing the settlement of Mexico from the United States attracted 
early attention, and in a few months after the adoption of the 

20 



306 The Life and Writings of 

Constitution instructions to the Land Commissioner as to new 
town sites required, among other things, that a suitable block 
of ground be provided for school and other buildings for public 
instruction. 

The first mention of an American school in Texas is in 
a document in the Bexar County record, dated July 5th, 1828, 
referring to the McClure School. This was under Mexican 
rule, and the school was probably an institution started for 
the benefit of the growing Anglo-Saxon colonists. About 
this time there existed a Spanish public school on the east line 
of the present military plaza. (J. J. L.) 

The State Legislature took the action in favor of estab- 
lishing a system of public education in Decree ~No. 92, adopted 
May 11th, 1829, which made provision for a school of mutual 
instruction on the "Lancastran plan," at the capital of each 
department, for the free instruction of a limited number of 
poor children, and for the compulsory education of the chil- 
dren of the parents not able to pay tuition. It provided that 
the teachers should instruct the children in the rudiments 
only, the dogmas of the Roman Catholic Church, and the 
American catechism of arts and sciences. It fixed the salary 
of the teacher at $800 per annum, and provided for the gen- 
eral expenses of the school by creating a fund in the said capi- 
tals, to be supplemented when necessary by loans from the 
municipality, or by loans from the State rents, subject to be 
restored to the State agents. Parents who were able were 
required to pay fourteen dollars per annum for each child 
while learning the "first rudiments" till they commenced to 
write, and eighteen dollars for the rest of their attendance. 
Each student educated in the establishment was required, on 
leaving, to pay ten dollars "gratitude money" for rewarding 
the teacher at the end of the teacher's contract. 

In April following the Legislature passed another law, 
establishing six temporary schools on a like plan, as provided 
for under Decree 92, with some modifications, which were 
specified, reducing the pay of teachers to five hundred dollars 
each per annum, and gratitude money to six dollars per pupil. 
Provision was made for the support of these public schools by 
grants of four leagues of land to the capital of each depart- 



Dr. Rttfus C. Burleson. 307 

ment. San Antonio was the capital of the Department of 
Bexar. By a decree of January 3 1st, 1831, Bexar was 
divided, and a new department created, with its capital at 
Nacogdoches, and a special grant of four leagues of land was 
allotted to the new municipality for educational purposes. 

But these laudable efforts of the Government proved to be 
practically ineffective. They were not satisfactory, ana! the 
people, especially the Americans, did not second the views of 
the Legislature, largely because of the preference allowed 
Spanish over English speaking children. At a convention 
held at San Felipe, in 1832, the disaffection on the subject 
led to the appointment of a committee to petition the State 
Government for a donation of land for the purpose of creating 
a fund for the future establishment of primary schools, but 
there is no evidence that it was presented, although provision 
was made, of a limited character, to produce school funds 
under general decree of April, 1833, whereby Juntas were also 
created, charged to take special care that the funds intended 
for the schools be used for no other purpose, and that they be 
not separated therefrom for any cause whatever. 

These Juntas were further required to provide schools 
and also teachers, and to see that the teachers "do not render 
useless by their example the lessons it is their duty to give 
on morality and good breeding." 

So far nothing of value was accomplished by the govern- 
ment in its efforts to establish a system of public education, 
and as was officially reported by a. commission in 1834, there 
were then only three private schools in operation in the prov- 
ince; one on the Brazos river, one on Bed river and the other 
in San Antonio, where the teacher got $25.00 for his ser- 
vices. (Report of Almonte). 

In 1844 the city of San Antonio took action in obedience 
to the stipulations in its charter to encourage the opening of a 
public school by recommending that the old court house be so 
repaired as to serve for both court and school purposes, and 
certain lots were appropriated for the purpose, but for some 
reason the arrangement was not consummated until August, 
1849. 

Those Texas settlements that would justify it, established 
private schools for the instruction of their children. In cases 



308 The Life and Writings of 

where parents could afford it, their children were sent to the 
United States to be educated. Mrs. M. Looscaus says, "The 
need of schools among the early colonists was pre-eminent in 
their minds, and many a good scholar who came to Texas with 
no intention of teaching was pressed into service by the im- 
portunities of his neighbors. A school house erected in a 
neighborhood was made large enough to accommodate not 
only all the children within riding distance, but many others 
from less favored, or less thickly settled sections, were re- 
ceived into families, often without thought of receiving, or 
even accepting payment for board, and were taken care of by 
the good women as if their own. 

In the coast country the names of Willbarger, Henry 
Smith, (afterward provisional governor), Phineas Smith, 
Thomas J. Pilgrim, Noonan, Cloud and Copeland are still 
cherished. 

Major George B. Erath says, ''School houses of logs were 
found in the more thickly settled portions of country, but sel- 
dom was a school kept in one of them for more than one year. 
The same house, or the shade of a tree did very well for a re- 
ligious service, and preachers of all denominations were pass- 
ing and repassing." 

One of the schools that had been located at Washington- 
prior to 1834, was transferred to Mount Vernon, once the 
county site of Washington county, and Miss Lydia McHenry 
taught there until 1836. 

A very interesting feature of the first history of Baylor 
University is now approached. We make no effort to con- 
trovert the statement that Union Association is the mother 
of Baylor University, and by turning back a few leaves in the 
history of education in Texas, we trace its descent back one 
more generation and discover also who our "Baylor's" grand 
mother was. 

The first young -ladies boarding school established in 
Texas, was opened by Miss Trask of Boston, in 1834. The 
academy building was of round cedar and post oak logs, the 
room eighteen feet square. This school was located about 
1,500 yards due west from the old Female College building at 
Independence, known at that time as "Coles' Settlement." By 
a most singular coincidence the location was also only a few 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 



300 



hundred yards north from the house in which Mrs. E. C. Bur- 
leson was partially raised, and grew to womanhood. Miss 
Trask was a very cultivated and highly educated lady and 
as fearless as any frontiersman in Texas. When it was neces- 
sary for her to do so, she mounted her Texas pony, swung a 
six shooter on one horn of her saddle, and unattended, would 
ride to La Grange, Houston or Austin, a distance of fifty or 
seventy-five miles, the whole route infested with Indians and 
other lawless characters. 

This academy was continued until 1838 or 1839, when 
Prof. Henry F. Gillette, as we have seen a member of the 
first Faculty of Baylor University, bought out the school, and 
established "Independence Academy' 7 in 1841, which was 




1. Houston and Cowden Halls. 2. Gymnasium. 

3. Carroll Science Hall. 4. Georgia Burleson Hall 

5. Main Building. 
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY. 

successfully conducted until 1845, when it was transferred and 
became a part of Baylor University. So therefore, the Trask 
Seminary, established January 31st, 1834, the first female 
school opened in Texas, has the distinction of being the pro- 
genitor of Baylor University and Baylor Female College. 

From this brief account of the educational institutions in 
Texas under the Mexican Bepublic, it is evident that institu- 
tions of learning were few in number and poorly sustained, 
under the existing state of affairs among the colonists, but 
facts go to prove that they were not unmindful of the benefits 



310 The Life and Writings of 

to be derived from education, and that even beset by innum- 
erable trials, they exerted themselves to establish schools of 
some kind, and to foster them to the limit of their ability. 

The fundamental law of the Republic in providing for a 
system of public free schools is worthy of the highest estima- 
tion, as was also the decrees promulgated by the state of Coa- 
huila and Texas for the same purpose. Those laws undoubted- 
ly influenced legislation in later years, and were suggestive of 
benefits we now enjoy in connection with the present school 
system. 

The hindrances to the successful inauguration of any 
system, were such as exist in all newly settled countries and the 
obstacles to the establishment of such institutions are insur- 
mountable ; but were especially so under the turbulent state of 
affairs throughout the Republic. Other parts of Mexico was 
no better provided with educational facilities than was Texas. 
To form an idea of the conditions in Mexico we can not do bet- 
ter than refer to the discription of one of their schools about 
the year 1825 as given by an intelligent eye witness : 

"I have just returned," says Mr. Poinsett, "from visit- 
ing a school, and have been much amused with the appearance 
of the pedagogue. In a large room, furnished with two or 
three cowhides spread on the floor, and half a dozen low 
benches, were ten or twelve little urchins, all repeating their 
lessons as loud as they could bawl. The master was stalking 
about the room, with a ferule in his hand, and dressed in the 
most grotesque manner. He had an old manta wrapped about 
his loins, from under which there appeared the ends of tat- 
tered leather breeches hanging over his naked legs; sandals 
were bound round his ankles; a leather jerkin, the sleeves 
worn oif, and a dirty handkerchief twisted round his head, 
above which his shaggy hair stood erect, completed his dress. 
He seemed perfectly unconscious of his uncouth appearance, 
but received me very -courteously, dismissed his scholars im- 
mediately, and at once entered into conversation on the state 
of the country. He told me that he was born in that house, 
and had never wandered beyond the precincts of the village. 
Several of the country people came in while we were talking, 
and treated the pedagogue with great respect. He appeared 
to be an oracle." 



, 



Dr. Rufus C. Burlesox. 311 



This graphic description enables one to estimate the ex- 
tent of knowledge and refinement imparted in such an institu- 
tion and we safely infer that all the country schools throughout 
Mexico was of a like character where ignorance was almost 
universal. This ignorance too, became more conspicuous 
after the execution of the decree of December 8, 1827, which 
was passed by the general congress and instigated by the ex- 
cessive hatred entertained against the natives of old Spain 
residing in Mexico, and in response to the clamor raised for 
their expulsion. It was not only a barbarous law, but it "ban- 
ished from her society those who possessed nearly all the in- 
telligence and refinement in the nation. Miserable indeed is 
the condition of that country which supposes that its safety 
requires the banishment of its most accomplished and useful 
citizens.' 7 (Yoakum). 

As a contrast, it can be shown that the colonists in Texas 
were generally of a high order of intellect. Many were fami- 
liar with the refinements and elegancies of society, and they 
practiced these evidences of civilization in the wilds of a 
frontier life to the extent that circumstances would permit. 
Many were of good families and bore names of distinction in 
their former homes, and it is a well attested fact that all, at 
least of Austin's colonists, were a superior order of people, and 
that they would not tolerate any individual who was not law- 
abiding and personally worthy of respect. As a natural con- 
sequence, such a society attracted to it immigrants of like ten- 
dences and its disposition was to encourage every influence 
calculated to elevate the character and provide for the intel- 
lectual welfare of their offspring. That they did so, Ave have 
every reason to believe, even if history did not attest the fact 
in the chronicle of events. 

The American population in Texas had increased to 
thirty thousand in 1831, and were constantly augmenting, 
notwithstanding the proscriptions of the national government 
against immigration. The measures of tyranny attempted to 
be instituted in Texas met with resistance, and the spirit then 
manifested attracted a large number of adventurous characters 
to the colonies. But the despotism of Bustamente had become 
intolerable in Mexico, and a successful revolution in favor of 
Santa Anna was the result. 



312 The Life and Writings of 

The people of Texas gladly availed themselves of the 
opportunity presented by the factious spirit in Mexico, and 
professing sincere attachment to the constitution of 1824, 
they gave their adherence to Santa Anna, and taking up arms 
they resorted to force to suppress his opposition in Texas. 

The successful battle of Velasco and Nacogdoches added 
dignity and lustre to the national flag. Thus Texans made 
triumphant efforts at the promptings of patriotism in sweep- 
ing Texas of Mexican soldiers, but in doing so they fostered 
the power which was to control the destinies of Mexico, and to 
drench her own beautiful prairies in blood. 

The historical events which followed are not only out of 
place in this brief view of early education in Texas, but are 
too well known to be recited. After the treacherous and blood- 
thirsty usurper, Santa Anna, secured his power in Mexico he 
turned toward Texas for the purpose of satisfying his veng- 
eance by exterminating the colonists. His success in the 
massacre of Texan patriots at the Alamo and Goliad, gave him 
confidence, and led him on to his ruin and doom. The declara- 
tion of Texas Independence, the general uprising of the peo- 
ple, and the glorious battle of San Jacinto, with the humiliat- 
ing capture of the tyrant, terminated the disturbances in 
Texas, and placed her among the respected powers of earth. 




Dk. Rufus C. Burleson. 313 



CHAPTER XXXVII 



Education in Texas Under the Republic — The Declara- 
tion oe Independence — The Consitution of 1836 — 
The First Congress of the Republic — Establishment 
of Schools — The Eirst Charter of the Republic to 
Independence Academy — The Act to Establish a 
State University— President Lamar's Message on 
Education — Area of the Republic — Land Grants for 
Educational Purposes — Baylor University at Inde- 
pendence — School at San Augustine. 



HIV N" presenting the progress of education in ■ Texas, and 
lJLj Dr. R. C. Burleson's connection therewith, it is neces- 
^^j sary to mention some historical facts already referred 
to. Since, however, an entirely new view is taken of these 
facts this explanation is scarcely necessary. 

The declaration of Independence promulgated at "Wash- 
ington-on-the-Brazos, March 2nd, 1836, was consummated on 
the battlefield of San Jacinto, April 21st of that year. The 
Burlesons and Byrds, paternal and maternal relatives of Dr. 
R. C. Burleson bore a conspicuous part in that memorable bat- 
tle, which may be placed with the decisive engagements in 
history. 

That document declared in connection with other griev- 
ances, "that the Mexican government had failed to establish 
a system of public education, although possessed of almost 
boundless resources; and although it is an axiom in political 
science that unless a people are educated, it is idle to expect a 
continuance of civil liberty, or the capacity for self govern- 
ment." To maintain these views the patriots engaged in 



314 The Life and Writings of 

deadly strife, and successfully established the principle as one 
of the organic laws of the government. 

It is notable that the framers of the document had fol- 
lowed the expressions of the constitution of Coahuila and 
Texas in fixing their attention upon the public domain, in- 
stead of direct taxation in providing for public education. 

The first congress of the Republic of Texas assembled in 
Houston, October 1st, following under the constitution of 
March 17, 1836. It was composed of men well qualified to 
discharge the responsible duties delegated to them by the peo- 
ple. Among them were experienced statesmen and jurists, 
and these were sustained by a high order of cultivated and 
native intellects, which assisted in framing the laws and pro- 
viding for the permanent institutions of the country. 

"The new constitution made it the duty of the congress 
of the republic, as soon as circumstances permitted, to pro- 
vide by law a general system of education. Schools were soon 
developed by the impetus of increased population, academies 
and other educational institutions sought charters from the 
government, and, as the public records show, as early as June 
5, 1837, the President of the Republic, Sam Houston, ap- 
proved "An Act to Incorporate the Trustees of Independence 
Academy and the University of San Augustine," which were 
separate institutions, but were embraced in the same act by the 
first congress of the republic of Texas. The institutions were 
located at Independence, in "Washington county and at San 
Augustine, in San Augustine county. The same day, June 
5, President Houston approved ''An Act Incorporating the 
Trustees of Washington College to be located at or near the 
town of Washington, on the Brazos River. These acts of in- 
corporation provide in effect, as do nearly all the charters 
granted by the republic, as well as by the State of Texas, for 
educational institutions, that they shall be accessible to all 
students without regard to religious or political opinions. Such 
institutions were generally maintained by subscriptions to their 
respective funds, or by tuition, or both, or in some way by 
private enterprise. The amount of property which they were 
to hold was generally expressed in the respective acts of in- 
corporation, and the property was generally, but not always, 
exempt from taxation. Very often, too, upon application to 



De. Rutus C. Buelesox. 315 

the legislature, special acts were passed prohibiting the sale 
of intoxicating liquors near the premises. Special qualifica- 
tion was made as to the Bible in two instances — one in an act 
incorporating the ''Texas Christian College/'' to be located 
where the largest subscription may induce, and providing that 
"the Bible may be fully taught, but no partisan, sectional, 
sectarian, or denominational peculiarity shall be taught or en- 
couraged in the college/' and the other in an act incorporating 
"AkKenzie ^lale and Female College," in Bed River county, 
which provided that "the Bible may be publicly read and 
used as a text-book." 

The idea of projecting a University to 'be supported by 
the government took shape in an act introduced in the con- 
gress of the Republic, entitled "An Act to Establish the Uni- 
versity of Texas," which, on April 13, 1S3S, was referred to a 
special committee (page 7, "'House Journal"), but, as far as the 
records show, was not further considered during that session of 
Congress. 

In his message of December 20, IS 38, to the third Con- 
gress of the Republic, convened at Houston, President Lamar 
thus expressed his views as to the importance of liberal landed 
provision for the promotion of public education, while the 
domain was ample for the purpose. "The present is a propi- 
tious moment to lay the foundation of a great moral and in- 
tellectual edifice, which will in after ages be hailed as the 
chief ornament and blessing of Texas. A suitable appropria- 
tion of lands to the purpose of general education can be made 
at this time without inconvenience to the government or the 
people: but defer it till the public domain shall have passed 
from our hands, and the uneducated youths of Texas will con- 
stitute the living monuments of our neglect and our remiss- 
ness. A liberal endowment which will be adequate to the gen- 
eral diffusion of a good rudimental education in every district 
of the republic and to the establishment of a University where 
the highest branches of science may be taught can now be 
effected, without the expenditure of a single dollar. Postpone 
it a few years, and millions will be required to accomplish the 
great design." (Lane's Educational System). 

The area of the Republic was about 395.557 square miles, 
without including: the territorv afterward sold to the United 



316 The Life and Writings of 

States, which was 125,000 square miles. The Spanish, Mexi- 
can and Colonial grants amounted to 25,000,000 acres. This, 
exclusive of bays, lakes, etc., is about 167,865,600 acres of 
land, of which Texas had the disposal of about 143,000,000 
acres in 1836. Lamar's suggestion met with approval to the 
extent, that the committee on education reported and recom- 
mended the adoption of a bill entitled "An act, to appro- 
priate certain lands for the purpose of establishing a general 
system of education and proposing a grant of three leagues 
(thirteen thousand two hundred and eighty-four acres), of 
the public domain to each county for establishing a primary 
school or academy in the county; and authorizing the Presi- 
dent of the republic to have surveyed from any of the vacant 
domain twenty leagues of land, which were to be set apart 
and appropriated for the establishment and endowment of two 
colleges or universities, one in the eastern, and the other in the 
western part of Texas. 

The act passed with fifty leagues substituted for twenty 
leagues, and was approved January 26, 1839. The same day 
President Lamar approved an act establishing and incorporat- 
ing the "College of DeKalb" at DeKalb, in Red River county, 
the act naming a board of "superintendents," exempted the 
property of the college from taxation, and authorized the board 
in addition to selecting teachers and providing for the educa- 
tional and financial management of the school," to suppress 
and abate nuisances within half a mile in any direction from 
the premises," and to levy and exact a fine of from twenty- 
five to one hundred dollars from all retailers of spirituous 
liquors sold within the prescribed limits. The Congress also 
granted four leagues of land in fee simple for buildings and 
apparatus, and ''for the promotion of arts, literature and 
science. An act of 1840 "Establishing Rutersville College," 
made similar provisions to the preceding. 

The first effort of the government for promoting public 
free schools in the counties was an act of February 5, 1840, 
"In relation to common schools and academies and to provide 
for securing the lands formerly appropriated for purposes of 
education." It made the chief justice and two associate 
justices (then existing officers) of each county, ex officio a 
board of school commissioners, with full power in their re 






Dr. Bufus C. Bukleson. 317 

spective counties to receive, lease, and sell all property ap- 
propriated for the schools, and required them to have located 
and surveyed the three leagues of land appropriated under the 
act of January 26, 1839, and granted an additional league 
(four thousand four hundred and twenty-eight acres) for the 
purpose of necessary scientific endowment, one-half of it for 
an academic school and the remainder to be distributed among 
the various common school districts in the county. It pro- 
vided that school districts be organized in the county when the 
population or interests of education required. 

Numerous private as well as denominational institutions 
of learning were chartered by direct acts of the republic and 
subsequent state legislatures, till a law was enacted by the 
State prescribing a general mode for such incorporations, un- 
der which the charter articles, when framed accordingly, have 
only to be accepted and filed in the State department at Aus- 
tin." (Lane). 

The laudable efforts on the part of the people to secure 
institutions as provided by law, resulted in the establishment 
of only a few of those projected, and but few of these be- 
came permanent and attained positions of prominence. 

Among those that succeeded was Baylor University at 
Independence, which as a chartered institution, as stated else- 
where, was the direct successor of the oldest Female school in 
Texas. "Baylor" was a denominational school under the con- 
trol of the Baptists, and after 1851, under the able manage- 
ment of Dr. R. C. Burleson, attained eminence. 

It will be observed that the same act which incorporated 
"Independence Academy" also included the "University of 
San Augustine." It is curious to note that the history of 
those institutions, which were the first incorporated under the 
Republic, passed through a similar experience in consequence 
of acrimonious differences, which arose in their communities, 
but from different causes. The facts of Baylor University 
have been stated and the following account of the fate of the 
school at San Augustine we give as recited in "The Compre- 
hensive History of Texas." 

"The town of San Augustine is situated on a beautiful 
and fertile strip of red-land country running in an east and 
west direction through the counties of Sabine, San Augustine 



318 The Life and Writings of 

and Nacogdoches, which was well settled with good farmers 
as early as 1840, and from that time to 1850, that town was one 
of the largest and best-improved towns in all Eastern and 
Northern Texas. It was situated thirty miles west of the 
Sabine River, on the old King's Highway, leading from 
Natchitoches in Louisiana, through Nacogdoches and Bastrop 
to San Antonio. The wagon road made along or near it, com- 
monly called the "San Antonio road," 7 was the principal thor- 
oughfare along which the immigrants came to Texas by land, 
and it was the route of the first stage line through Eastern 
Texas. A master builder, a Mr. Sweet, erected a large two- 
story frame building and sold it to the county of San Augus- 
tine for a league of land that had been given to the county for 
the erection of an academy, though the school had the high- 
son nding name of "The University. 77 A small school having 
been taught in it for several years, in 1843, a gentleman by 
the name of Montrose, of medium size, about 30 years old, and 
apparently good manners and intelligence, appeared at the 
hotel, and learning that there was a large school building in 
the town, let it be known that he was a teacher. The board 
of trustees were soon assembled and sent for him. He was a 
man of few words and very positive in his utterances. He 
said in substance : "All I ask is to give me control of the 
house, and I will build rip a large school, that will attract 
scholars to your town. 77 

They complied with his request, and before the end of the 
second session, he had verified his assertion and had a large 
school, with numbers of scholars from a distance. It so con- 
tinued for several years. One of his great merits as a teacher 
was his control of the scholars in school by a regular system, 
and the anxiety he produced in them to attend school punct- 
ually and an ardent desire to attend to their studies. He did 
not seek to acquire favor in the community, except through 
his scholars, and was seldom seen upon the streets of the town 
or otherwise in communication w T ith the citizens. He taught 
school as a business strictly, and had no difficulty in collecting 
his tuition through his scholars, although there was a great 
scarcity of money in the country. After his school increased 
his plan for assistance was to engage some of his advanced 
scholars to teach classes under his direction. The school soon 



De,. Eufus C. Burleson. 319 

became the pride of the town and surrounding country, with a 
united recognition of its advantages. It may be instructive 
to tell how discord and contention were produced that ulti- 
mately led to bad consequences in reference to that and other 
schools in that place. 

A Methodist preacher came there fresh from "The 
States," as the United States were then called, and preached a 
sermon in favor of "perfect sanctification on this earth," the 
most numerous denomination of Christians there being Metho- 
dists. Professor Montrose, being a Presbyterian, and a good 
reader, had occasionally read sermons, as a layman, to a few 
Presbyterians and others on Sunday. By their urgency he 
was induced to read in public a sermon opposed to the doc- 
trine advanced by the Methodist minister, who promptly chal- 
lenged him for a public debate on the subject. Professor Mont- 
rose, though not a preacher, was pressed into the debate by 
his religious friends; moderators were chosen to regulate the 
debate, and it was held before a large audience. Professor- 
Montrose simply read extracts from books when it came to his 
turn to speak, and he did it with such impressiveness as to make 
it appear that he had achieved a victory over the challenger. 
At once a religious storm was raised. There being a number of 
prominent Methodist preachers and other leading citizens of 
that d.enomination in the town and in the surrounding country,, 
it was readily determined to put up in that place a Methodist 
College. A large three-story frame building was erected, and 
an excellent teacher, as well as preacher, was brought from 
Ohio to take charge of the College. His name was Jones, a 
cousin of Bishop Jones. Other Methodist preachers were en- 
gaged to teach in the college and several Presbyterian min- 
isters were engaged to assist Professor Montrose. Both schools 
prospered for several years, with scholars in each to the num- 
ber of one hundred and fifty. San Augustine claimed to be 
the Athens of Texas. ,.*■_** The rivalry that made a 
spasmodic success for a time for both schools could not last 
long. Professor Jones left the college, and it declined and was 
sold to the trustees of the so-called university for a female 
institute. Professor Montrose, hampered with assistants, con- 
trary to his own plan of getting them by engaging his ad- 
vanced students, left and afterwards taught at Nacogdoches* 



320 The Life and Writings of 

and at Anderson in 1857. The university, as it was called, 
struggled along for a time under its trustees, but gradually 
declined, and that place has never been able to keep up a good 
school since its failure. Both of the buildings have been 
burned, and the vacant places where they stood attest the sad 
calamity of a religious rivalry entering the management of 
the schools of a community, where it assumes the character of 
a bitter partisanship." 

Another denominational school was Rutersville Col- 
lege — the first Methodist school chartered in Texas of the 
many educational enterprises put on foot by that vigorous de- 
nomination, including McKenzie College at Clarksville, Wes- 
leyan College at San Augustine, and Soule University at 
Chappell Hill. The unsatisfactory history of these scattered 
enterprises led to the concentration in late years of all their 
chartered rights in the "Southwestern University" at George- 
town, which has become an ornament to all Texas. This 
policy of consolidation, in a modified form, as we shall notice 
later on, was afterward adopted by the Baptists. 

The subject might be still further enlarged, possibly with 
pleasure and profit, but as it is only contemplated to sketch an 
outline of the measures adopted by the fathers of the Re- 
public, that constitutes the foundation of the fabric upon 
which has been erected the present school system of Texas, all 
details are omitted, except such as are calculated to show the 
temper of the people in a few instances, and to lead up to Dr. 
Burlesons connection with public education. 




De. Rufus C. Bueleson. 321 



CHAPTER XXXVIII 



Pbogeess of Education in Texas Undeb State Rule — An- 
nexation of Texas to the United States — Texas Re- 
tains Hee Unappeopeiated Public Domain — The Con- 
stitution of 1845 — Legislative Provision foe Educa- 
tion— De. R. C. Bueleson Aeeives in Texas — The 
Civil "War 1861 to 1865 — The Constitution of Texas 
as a State in the Confedeeacy — Surrendee of the 
confedeeact the interregnum! followed by mili- 
TARY Occupation — The Peabody Euxd, Its Infuence 
on Education. 



*1 * HE State of Texas surrendered its sovereignty as an in- 
■ ■ dependent nation through, a convention of the people 
^*^J assembled at Austin July 4, 1845, and adopted res- 
olutions for the annexation of the state, in harmony with a 
resolution passed by the congress of the United States. Among 
other stipulations it was provided, that the Republic of Texas 
should retain as a state in the Union all its vacant and un- 
appropriated public domain. 

The constitution that was adopted when Texas became 
a State, provided for education as follows : 

Article 7 section 8, made a restriction on State appro- 
priations of money by declaring, that appropriations of money 
should not be made for a longer period than two years, ex- 
cept for purposes of education. 

Article 10, asserted 1st. A general diffusion of knowl- 
edge being essential to the preservation of the rights and lib- 
erties of the people, it shall be the duty of the legislature of 
this State to make suitable provision for the support and main- 
tenance of public schools. 

21 



322 The Life and Writings of 

2. The Legislature shall, as early as practicable, estab- 
lish free schools throughout the State, and shall furnish means 
for their support by taxation on property, and it shall be the 
duty of the Legislature to set apart not less than one-tenth of 
the annual revenue of the State, derivable from taxation, as a 
perpetual fund, which fund shall be appropriated to the sup- 
port of free public schools; and no law shall ever be made, 
diverting said fund to any other use; and until such time as the 
Legislature shall provide for the establishment of such schools, 
in the several districts of the State, the fund thus created shall 
remain as a charge against the State, passed to the credit of 
the free common school fund. 

3. All public lands which have been heretofore, or may 
hereafter be granted for public schools, to the various counties, 
or other political divisions in this State, shall not be alienated 
in fee, nor disposed of otherwise than by lease, for a term not 
exceeding twenty years, in such manner as the Legislature may 
direct. 

4. The several counties in this State, which have not 
received their quanitity of lands for the purposes of education, 
shall be entitled to the same quantity heretofore appropriated 
by the Congress of the Republic of Texas to other counties. 

In accordance with the provisions of the constitution the 
following acts were passed by the Legislature in support of the 
common free school system : 

' An act of 1846 set a precedent of municipal taxation for 
the support of free schools in which the Legislature authorized 
the corporation of Galveston to levy a tax for such purpose, 
limited to one-half per cent, on the value of the real estate of 
the corporation. 

An act of January 16, 1849, exempted from taxation all 
buildings with furniture and library used solely for purposes 
of education, together with the lands owned by the educational 
institutions, not exceeding ten acres, on which %they are sit- 
uated. 

An act of January 16, 1850, appropriated four leagues of 
land to all organized counties as provided in the act of 1839. 

An act of February 1, 1850, authorized the survey of 
three leagues of land for the University in lieu of the surveys 



Dk. Rufus C. Burleson. 323 

lost by failure to return the field notes of the surveys made 
under the act of 1839. 

An act of January 31, 1854, appropriated two million 
dollars of 5 per cent, bonds of the United States remaining in 
the State treasury of the amount received from the general 
government in the settlement of the boundary question, as a 
school fund for the support and maintainance of public schools, 
to be called the "special school fund;' 7 the interest therefrom to 
be distributed for the benefit of the school fund. This fund 
was afterwards authorized to be invested in railroad bonds to 
encourage railroad construction in the State. 

An act of January 30, 1854, to encourage the construc- 
tion of railroads in Texas," and the act of February 11, 1854, 
relative to the Galveston and Brazos Navigation Company, 
appropriated "alternate sections," of lands in large quantities 
to the railroads and navigation companies and to the free 
school fund, the corporations being required to survey the 
school sections for the State, as well as their own lands. These 
grants aggregated many millions of acres, including about 
thirty-two million acres to the railroads. 

An act of August 30, 1856, provided for the survey of 
fifty leagues of University lands, appropriated by the act of 
1839, under certain stipulations respecting the survey: Also 
how it should be divided and sold; the minimum price per 
acre, and the payments and interest. The proceeds was to 
constitute a University fund. Another act in 1856 provided 
for "investments of the special school fund in bonds of rail- 
road companies incorporated by the State." 

An act of 1856 provided that "no statute of limitations 
shall run in favor of any one who has heretofore settled on or 
may hereafter settle upon or occupy any of the lands thai 
have heretofore been granted, or may hereafter be granted for 
purposes of education." 

An act of February 11, 1858, known as the 'University 
Act of 1858" provided for the organization and establishment 
of the University. It granted the University of Texas one 
hundred thousand dollars in United States bonds, then in the 
State treasury; transferred to it the fifty leagues of land ori- 
ginally set apart by the Republic of Texas for the "endowment 
of two colleges or universities," and further set apart to it 



324 The Life and Writings of 

"one section of land ont of ten sections which have heretofore 
been or may be hereafter surveyed and reserved for the use 
of the State, under the act of January 30, 1854, to encourage 
the construction of railroads in Texas," and the act of Feb- 
ruary 11, 1854, granting lands to the Galveston and Brazo» 
Navigation Company. The governor was to select the sections 
so as to have them adjoin each other. The administrative de- 
tails of the institution were provided for and all the usual re- 
quirements for a first class university were established. The 
Constitution of 1876 annulled the proposition as to the alter- 
nate sections, converting the lands to the free school fund, 
and substituting to the University but one million acres of far 
less valuable lands, in lieu of some three million two hundred 
thousand acres to which the University was entitled under the 
act of 1858. 

"We have thus far traced the history of education in Texas 
from the earliest times, through its evolutions under four 
separate governments, according to available data. It has been 
shown that the constitutions and laws all demanded common 
free schools, but their requirements were never enforced or a 
single school put into operation. The only provision ever mado 
Was for the free tuition of every indigent child and every 
orphan in a good private school ten months in the year. The 
reasons for their not having been established was partly owing 
to the fact that the permanent school fund afforded an in- 
sufficient income for the purpose, and because the lands were 
unremunerative. But for the opposition of the people to the 
levying of a tax for the support of a system of free schools 
thev might have been instituted with success: without a tax 
for the purpose, the measure was practically impossible, other- 
wise the men of affairs, aided by those who were devoted to 
the educational interests of the State would have established 
them without a question of doubt. 

J. J. Lane says that "after the annexation of Texas to the 
United States, the public school system was subject to various 
important changes. Naturally, at the organization of the gov- 
ernment, the management of educational interests was largely 
left to the cities and counties and boards of school trustees, the 
counties being generally divided, when the population justi- 
fied, into school districts with respective school commissioners. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 325 

Eventually sub-divisions of school districts were allowed, 
under what was termed the community system/' where a suffi- 
cient number of the people petitioned for it to the school au- 
thorities. Cities and towns were allowed to incorporate as 
''independent school districts" under separate school boards 
and city school superintendents, and established "graded" 
and c 'high" schools, in addition to the grammar and primary 
schools. The disposition of free school funds of the counties, 
derived from State grants and special appropriations and tax- 
ation, was charged to the county officers, subject to legislative 
regulation. 

At first the State Treasurer, and subsequently the State 
Comptroller, was ex officio State Superintendent of instruction, 
with a certain general supervision of the school fund and some 
direction as to its distribution and use in the several counties, 
reports of county school finances and school work being re- 
quired to be made to him, and he to report to the governs as 
to the condition of such matters and the general interests 
education in the State. This was before the population of 
Texas had grown so as to require a more thorough system of 
regulation." 

Under the laws and regulations then in force quite a 
number of institutions of learning were sustained in this more 
thickly settled portions of the State by private enterprise and 
these were generally supported by a generous patronage. 
They were under the supervision of competent instructors and 
their management secured for some of the establishments a 
reputation which ranked them among the creditable schools in 
the Union. 

During this era, as we have seen, Rev. Rufus C. Burleson 
arrived in Texas who was destined to take rank among the 
eminent instructors in the educational institujtions of 'his 
adopted State. He was also to become an instrument in mould- 
ing the present educational system by bringing to bear his 
indominatable spirit and great energy combined with an in- 
fluence and an enthusiasm which no opposition could with- 
stand. 

At the time of his arrival in Texas, Rev. Rufus C. Burle- 
son was a young Baptist preacher. The reader is familiar with 
all the incidents of his life prior to this time, and during this 



326 The Life and Writings oe 

period and will be made acquainted in subsequent chapters 
with his after life when he became an educator in charge of 
Waco University, in 1861, located at Waco Texas, and since 
rechristened Baylor University through consolidation. It was 
in this institution where his life-work was accomplished in the 
education of hundreds of the youth of the land who received 
the benefits of his instruction. It was here he acquired a 
prominence as an educator which proved him an authority in 
the estimation of the people of Texas and elsewhere, and this 
popularity gave assurance that he would be heard with defer- 
ence on all subjects appertaining to education. He thus be- 
came eminently qualified to instruct the masses when the 
proper time arrived, on the subject of public schools, and it 
was through his indefatigable exertion and earnest solicitation, 
more than any other one man that they became an accom- 
plished fact, which will be the unbiased judgment of the pub- 
lic when all the evidence is in. 

It is appropriate that we should introduce Dr. Burleson 
on the stage of this feature of his service for education in 
Texas at the earliest moment consistent with history. In 
forecasting his after-life at this time, it serves as an introduc- 
tion to his great achievements in administering the Peabody 
Education .Fund, with which he became so closely identified 
in Texas a few years later. 

We have arrived at a period in the history of education 
in Texas when nearly the whole system collapsed under the 
terrible visitation of civil war and its after results which in- 
cluded a period of about eight years. During the first half 
of these years 1861-1865, the government and the people of 
Texas was absorbed by measures and conditions relating to 
military operations. A universal patriotic enthusiasm was 
manifested in the cause of secession throughout the struggle 
for independence on the part of the Confederate States, and as 
the people of the North figuratively testified, the Confederacy 
robbed both the cradle and the grave, to recruit its armies by 
voluntary enlistment of its old men and youth. Nevertheless 
a few schools were maintained during the struggle and nota- 
bly the one over which Dr. Burleson presided. 

The constitutional convention of 1861, held during the 
secession of the Southern States, adopted the constitution of 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. . 327 

1845 with some amendments, adapting it to the new order of 
things, but without changing article 10, on education or the 
two years provision as to appropriation for educational pur- 
poses. 

At the termination of the war and with the collapse of the 
Southern Confederacy, all military and civil government was 
substantially at an end. There was for more than two months 
an interregnum in the government of Texas. And although 
the State was full of soldiers with guns in their hands and 
under no authority, yet the utmost order everywhere prevailed. 
They were filled with despair at the results of their heroic 
efforts in behalf of liberty, but they were alive to the necessi- 
ties of civilization and they exhibited a love of order and re- 
spect for the rights of person and property that was creditable 
to the reputation they had sustained as' soldiers of the "Lost 
Cause." The people having accepted the results of the strug- 
gle they made the best of the situation that was possible. 
Schools were opened throughout the country, and thousands 
of young men, who had volunteered as youths in their coun- 
try's cause laid aside the trappings of war, and returned to the 
school room, fully realizing their deficiencies and in search of 
an education which had been interrupted at the most impor- 
tant period in their lives. With enthusiasm they had put aside 
their school books when their services were required in their 
country's defence, and history records their merit as soldiers, 
but many of them resumed their studies as cripples or phy- 
sical wrecks, resulting from the vicissitudes of war and disease. 

The distracted condition of the country during the several 
years which followed, was not conducive to the establishment 
of educational institutions. Civil government was suspended 
and the country was impoverished. The people were at the 
feet of the conqueror and the radical element among them 
being in the majority suppressed the conservative measures 
advocated for restoring the Southern states to the Union and 
for rehabilitating the country. The evils resulting from a 
free indulgence of such passions were disastrous and demora- 
lizing. In 1867 a mighty impetus was given to the cause of 
education in the Southern states, bv the creation of the Pea- 
body Education Fund. This noble benefaction came at an 
opportune time, and the good it effected can not be overes- 



328 The Life and Writings of 

timated, in relation to the poverty and ignorance that was then 
stalking abroad in the land. 

By some of the worst desolated states the charity was 
grasped with avidity, and these consequently were soonest in 
possession of a successful system of public schools; bnt its 
benefits were generally slow in reaching those for whom the 
fund was created. The reasons were manifold which hindered 
and retarded its application. The greatest obstacle was in the 
people themselves. They were required by the regulations 
ordained by the Trustees of the Fund, to comply with certain 
requirements before they could become beneficiaries. The 
rule of the Trustees was that they would help those most, who 
helped themselves most, and if nothing was done in that direc- 
tion they would withhold their benefaction. 

The benefits of this Fund to public education in Texas, 
and it might be said to all education, for all was stimulated, 
is shown hereafter in connection with the influence it exerted 
in bringing about results, which have been so firmly estab- 
lished in the educational institutions of the State. 




Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 329 



CHAPTER XXXIX. 



Education - in Texas Under the Provisional Government 
— Military Occupation — Emancipation Order — Ham- 
ilton Provisional Governor — Organization of the 
Civil Government — Election Order — Constitution 
oe 1866 — Throckmorton Governor — Provision eor 
Education — Republican Reconstruction — Civil Gov- 
ernor Removed — E. M. Pease Appointed Provisional 
Governor — Constitution of 1868 — Provisions for 
Education — First Public Free School in Texas was 
Opened September 4th, 1871 — Dr. P». Sears' Report 
as General Agent of the Peabody Fund — The Tax- 
payers' Convention. 



^\ N the 19th of June, 1865, General Gordon Granger, 
mmu of the United States army, by proclamation at Gal- 
frnml J veston, assumed command over Texas, and issued an 
order declaring "all acts of the Governor and Legislature of 
Texas, since the ordinance of secession was adopted illegiti- 
mate, and called upon all Confederate and State officers and 
soldiers to repair to certain designated places in the State to 
he paroled. On the same date he also declared the negroes 
to he free, from which fact the negroes of Texas have ever 
since celebrated June 19, as "Emancipation Day." 

Many measures effecting public education in the State 
came within these dates, and hence many things must be done 
de novo. 

After passing through a period of reconstruction, a con- 
stitutional convention was held January 7th, 1866, and James 



330 The Life and Writings of 

"W*. Throckmorton was elected President. This convention 
adopted a constitution, submitted it to a vote of the people 
who ratified it, and in an election which followed M.v. Throck- 
morton was elected Governor. 

This constitution amended the provisions of article 10, 
on education, by declaring that the Legislature shall, as early 
as possible establish a system of free schools throughout the 
State, and as a basis for the endowment and support of said 
system, all the funds, lands and other property heretofore 
set apart, or that may hereafter be set apart and appropriated 
for the support and maintenance of public schools, shall con- 
stitute the public school fund; and said fund and the income 
derived therefrom shall be a perpetual fund for the education 
of all the white scholastic inhabitants of this State, and no law 
shall ever be made appropriating said fund to any other use 
or purpose. It further provided that all the alternate sections 
of land reserved by the State out of previous or future grants 
to railroad companies or other corporations for internal im- 
provements, or for the development of the wealth on resources 
of the State, shall be set apart as the permanent school fund of 
the State; that the legislature shall hereafter appropriate one- 
half of the proceeds of sale of public lands to the perpetual 
school fund, and shall provide for the levying of a tax for 
educational purposes, and that the sum arising from said tax 
which may be collected from Africans or persons of African 
descent, shall be exclusively appropriated for the maintenance 
of a system of public schools for Africans and their children; 
that the University funds shall be invested in like manner 
provided for the public school fund, and the legislature shall 
have no power to appropriate the University fund for any 
other purpose than that of the maintenance of universities, 
and shall at an early day make such provision by law as will 
organize and put into operation the University. The Governor 
in his inaugural address thus graphically described the situa- 
tion: 

"We have just emerged from the most terrible conflict 
known to modern times, with homes made dreary and deso- 
late by the hand of war, the people impoverished and groaning 
under public and private debt : the great industrial energies of 
the country sadly depressed, occupying in some respects the 



Dr. Rueus C. Buelesox. 331 

position of a State in the Union, and in others the condition 
of a conquered province; exercising only such privileges as the 
conqueror in his wisdom and mercy may allow; the loyalty of 
the people to the government doubted; their integrity ques- 
tioned; their holiest aspirations for peace and restoration dis- 
believed, malinged and traduced by a constant misapprehen- 
sion of their most innocent actions and intentions." Defama- 
tions continued to influence the hostility at the North, and 
aggravate their feelings toward the Southern people. A mili- 
tary government was established, and the highest welfare 
of the people for a time seems to have been forgotten. But 
through it all Dr. Burleson never relinguished his life pur- 
pose, not lost sight of the proposition that the perpetuity of 
republican institutions depends upon an educated constituency. 

The "Reconstruction Convention which assembled June 
1, 1868, framed a State Constitution which was finally ratified 
by the people in July 1869. This Constitution eliminated 
from that of 1866 all those provisions against "race discrimi- 
nations," and was so changed as to provide that ''the perpetual 
school fund shall be applied, as needed, exclusively for the 
education of all the scholastic inhabitants of the State, and no 
law shall ever be made appropriating such fund for any other 
use or purpose." It was also provided that "All sums of money 
that may come to this State from the sale of any portion of the 
public domain of the State shall also constitute a part of the 
public school fund. And the legislature shall appropriate all 
the proceeds resulting from sales of public lands, to such 
public school fund, and shall set apart for the benefit of the 
public schools one-fourth of the annual revenue derivable from 
general taxation ; and shall also cause to be levied and collected 
an annual poll-tax of one dollar on all male persons in this 
State, between the ages of 21 and 60 years, for the benefit 
of public schools." "And said fund and the income therefrom 
and the taxes herein provided, for school purposes shall be a 
perpetual fund to be applied" as above. 

The Constitution declared the Ordinance of Secession 
of 1861 and all legislation based thereon, a nullity. It also 
declared that the Legislature, which assembled in Austin, 
August 6, 1866, was provisional only. The invalidating of all 
debts under the Confederacy caused a loss to the University 



332 The Life and Writings of 

fund of $74,804.48, in consequence of having received 
that amount in "Confederate notes" in payment for University 
lands and turned over to the Confederate States depository. 
~No estimate seems to have been made with respect to the losses 
sustained by the free school fund and other special trusts by 
the State being prohibited from paying any debt involving 
Confederate money. 

Provision for the establishment of Public Free Schools 
was made under a new school law which was passed April 4, 
1871, in which ample powers were given to the school authori- 
ties, and in which the scholastic age was placed at from six 
to eighteen years and attendance at school was required by 
law. The first public free schools were opened in Texas on 
September 4, 1871, under the administration of Provisional 
Governor E. J. Davis and with J. C. De Gress (appointed by 
Davis) as State Superintendent of Education. 

Governor O. M. Roberts says in relation to this period, 
"Public free schools were established with the same central 
control by a school board at Austin, with district supervisors 
and county superintendents, and with taxes levied in the coun- 
ties to build school houses. Parents were compelled to send 
their children of a certain age to school under a penalty for 
failure to do it. Immense bounties of land were given to 
railroad companies, and in one case a large amount of money 
was donated, the payment of which was prevented only by the 
stern honesty of the Treasurer, A. Bledsoe, who refused to 
sign the bonds issued to secure it, and which bounty gave the 
State no little trouble afterwards." Hon. J. J. Lane says, 
a An act of 1871, amended the general school law by providing 
that the Board of Education shall apportion the territory of the 
State anew into convenient educational districts. The State 
Superintendent was authorized to appoint the district super- 
visors, the supervisors were to appoint the school directors and 
could act as examiners of teachers. Thus, the school officers 
were very numerous and involved an expense that was well 
calculated to exhaust the school fund, if not to bankrupt the 
State, if. the system was maintained. At all events, it was too 
extravagant for maintenance by the counties." 

Dr. Sears as general agent of the Peabody Education 
Eund rej)orted to the Trustees February, 1871, as follows: 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 333 

"A little more than a year ago, I visited this remote State, 
and found thar, nothing could be accomplished for the object 
of my mission till after the session of the first Legislature under 
the new constitution, which required the immediate enactment 
of a school law. That body has at length passed a law, but it 
seems not to be very satisfactory to the people. It makes the 
members of the police court of the county a Board of School 
Directors. It declares a that the Board of School Directors 
shall be subject to the rules and directions and supervision of 
the Superintendent of Public Instruction." 

The governor nominated a Superintendent, but the 
Senate refused to confirm the appointment. Ko other nomi- 
nation has been made, and the office is still vacant. Thus the 
whole system is rendered inoperative, and it is not known that 
any county has taken measures for carrying out the provisions 
of the law. In consequence of this failure, I have not yet 
been able to effect anything for schools in Texas." 

In Dr. Sears 7 annual report to the Trustees of the Pea- 
body Fund in June, 1872, he gives a synopsis of the State 
school law in connection with the following statistics gathered 
from the Report of the Superintendent : 

"The school fund, after being sadly plundered, is still 
larger than that of any Southern State, being $2,285,279. 
The number of children of school age in the State is, accord- 
ing to the imperfect returns recently made, 227,615. Of 
these 63,504 (increased to about 90,000, April 5), have been 
already brought into the public schools. Of the 1,324 schools, 
1,107 have been graded. Teachers have been well paid, male 
and female receiving equal compensation, and, consequently, 
capable persons could generally be obtained for the office. 
The schools were organized through the agency of the Super- 
visors of the thirty-five Judicial Districts. This number of 
Supervisors has, from considerations of economy, been reduced 
to twelve. Only one or two public school houses were found 
in the State at the beginning of last year." He further 
remarks : "I can safely assert that until the present time we 
have never had an educational law free from most glaring 
defects." In a Supplemental Report he adds : ''While at 
every step this department has met with stubborn opposition, 
the experience of the last three months has demonstrated that 



334 The Life and Writings of 

the sovereigns of the soil are fully alive to the importance and 
necessity of free schools." In a letter, written nearly at the 
same time, he says: "I cannot sufficiently thank you for 
your kind suggestions concerning the donation intended for 
this State. I recommend the wisdom of the plans proposed, 
and shall enter into a hearty co-operation with you in exe- 
cuting the same." "The State has made an appropriation of 
over $500,000, a part of which is in the State Treasury." 

Roberts says, in reviewing the administration of these 
times, that "Such were the extravagant appropriations of 
money and the lavish expenditure of it, and such were the 
violations of the Constitution in the administration of affairs, 
that the whole country became alarmed at the excesses 
being continually perpetrated, and conservative men of all 
parties determined to arrest the ruinous policy if possible. For 
that purpose a. meeting was called to assemble at Austin, by 
both Republicans and Democrats. This non-partisan meet- 
ing was called the "Taxpayers' Convention of 1871." It 
was held September 22, 23 and 25, 1871. It was composed of 
the leading citizens of the State. 

Dr. Burleson warmly supported this movement, and, 
while not sent as a delegate, the action of the convention con- 
tributed largely toward securing a Democratic Legislature in 
the election of 1873. 




Dr. Euros C. Burleson. 335 



CHAPTER XL 



The Peabody Education Fund — George Peabody — His 
Character — His Death — Munificent Bequest — Dr. 
Barnas Sears General Agent of the Fund — Dr. 
Euros C. Burleson's Appointment as Lecturer for 
the Fund in Texas — His First .Quarterly Eeport. 



G 



EOEGE PEABODY, the enlightened and beneficent 
founder of the trust which bears his name, was a 
native of Massachusetts, but for many years was a 
resident of London, "England, where he accumulated a large 
fortune. With characteristic sagacity, he was among the 
first to foresee the evils which would be entailed on the South- 
ern States of America by the ravages of the great Civil War, 
and the consequent inability of the people of those States to 
extend to the rising generation the blessing of education." 
Discarding every feeling of a sectional character, and acting 
with a magnanimity almost without a parallel in history, he 
dedicated several millions of dollars of his private fortune "to 
be held by trustees (named by himself) and their successors, 
and the income thereof used and applied, in their discretion, 
for the promotion and encouragement of intellectual, moral 
and industrial education among the young of the more desti- 
tute portions of the Southern and Southwestern States of our 
Union;" his purpose being that the benefits intended should 
be distributed among the entire population and without other 
distinction than their needs and the opportunities of useful- 
ness to them. 

The letter of the great philanthropist was dated Wash- 
ington, February 7, 1867. The trustees met and effected an 
organization the following day. 



336 The Life and "Writings oe 

Mr. Peabody added a second princely gift of over $51,- 
000,000 to his original donation June 29, 1869. He sailed for 
Liverpool on the 29th of September following, and died in 
London on the 4th of ISTovember of the same year. 

His death was greatly lamented, and his acts afforded a 
theme of eloquent tributes commemorative of his character. 
He was the subject of funeral honors by command of Queen 
Victoria. His remains, after resting for a few days under the 
consecrated arches of Westminster Abbey, were brought to 
the United States, by order of the Queen, in H. B. M. iron- 
clad steamer "Monarch," which was accompanied by the 
United States ship of war "Plymouth." He was buried, 
agreeably to his own wishes, in his family tomb in Harmony 
Grove Cemetery, in Danvers, Mass., on the 8th of February, 
1870. 

George Peabody did not wait for posthumous execution 
of his munificence by refraining from parting with his millions 
until death should have wrested them from a reluctant grasp. 
His charity was of his own designing. The noble aspirations 
of his early manhood, which contemplated the acquisition of 
wealth for the purpose of disposing of it by doing some great 
good to his fellow-men was realized in the opportunity offered 
at the close of the sanguinary struggle in his native land, 
which impoverished the overpowered Confederate States and 
left them at the mercy of ignorance. The hopeless condition 
of the Southern people was manifest, with their 4,500,000 
emancipated slaves recently associated in the political man- 
agement of affairs, and fostered by a military despotism. 

George Peabody grasped the situation and saw "the edu- 
cational needs of those portions of our beloved and common 
country which has suffered from the .destructive ravages, and 
the not less disastrous consequences, of civil war." By his 
prompt action in bestowing the gift and in his discrimination, 
which secured efficient trustees and agents for its distribution, 
he gained a place by himself far above all competition or com- 
parison as having done the greatest good for the greatest num- 
ber of his fellow-men, and in all human annals he should be 
esteemed as pre-eminent among the many benefactors of man- 
kind. 



Dr. Ruftts C. Burleson. 337 

Tlie history of education in the United States would be 
incomplete which, did not introduce George Peabody and his 
patriotic benefactions in behalf of the South at a critical 
period in the history of those States. In their then impov- 
erished condition the people were unable to provide educa- 
tional facilities for the white children who, for eight years, had 
been growing up in ignorance during the continuance of the 
war, and after its close, because all efforts in that direction 
were restrained, for the education of the masses, by the blight- 
ing influences of military occupation. The country was in the 
power of selfish and malignant influences, and threatened by 
a semi-barbarous generation under universal suffrage seeking 
to control the destinies of a section of the country which 
needed all the resources of knowledge, science and art to 
recuperate and fully develop its energies. Men of elevated 
character and ability throughout the Southern States were 
fully impressed with the importance of establishing an educa- 
tional system, and were in a state of anxiety when contemplat- 
ing the preponderance of ignorance which threatened the 
country." 

The Board of Trustees of the Peabody Fund appointed 
Rev. Dr. Barnas Sears, President of Brown University, Rhod6 
Island, their general agent. The wisdom of this appointment- 
cannot be questioned. He was eminently fitted for the work 
contemplated by the endowment. His high intellectual gifts 
and large attainments, and administrative ability, coupled with 
his social distinction, qualified him for entering upon such a 
vast field of labor, where so much was to be accomplished. Dr. 
Sears was a great man, statesman and philosopher as well as 
an educator. Through his industry and patience in removing 
obstacles, he succeeded in laying the foundation for a system 
of public schools for the South. 

His fidelity in the discharge of his duties and the results 
flowing from the administration of the great Peabody bequest 
up to the time of his death, at Saratoga, July 6, 1880, will 
commemorate him as the friend and benefactor of the South- 
ern people. 

It was through Dr. Sears that the State of Texas became 
a beneficiary of the Peabody Pund. In December, 1869, he 
said: ''I visited the State shortly after the adoption of the 

22 



338 The Life and Writings of 

new Constitution. All eyes were turned to the Legislature 
about to be convened. Great interest was being manifested 
on the subject of a system of public instruction. I had an 
interview with the Governor-elect, with members of both 
branches of the Legislature and others. I was earnestly 
requested by them all to visit Austin during the session of the 
Legislature. As nothing could be done in Texas until that 
time, I made preparation for future action by addressing cir- 
culars to cities in the interior setting forth my plans of action, 
and requesting co-operation as soon as the necessary laws 
should have been passed. " He says in his report of February, 
1870 : "The present is a time of great interest in Texas with 
respect to all that relates to its social and moral condition. 
While I was in Texas three different committees were ap- 
pointed to confer with the Legislature on the subject of a 
system of public instruction." 

Dr. Burleson says in an unpublished paper : "A broad 
and magnificent system of free schools was the early pride and 
glory of our Texas fathers. They made the grandest provision 
for the future establishment of free schools of any nation in 
ancient or modern times. But Gov. E. J. Davis and his 
allies, by their miserable management, made the free school 
system odious in so much that when that learned and practi- 
cal sage and philosopher, Dr. Barnas Sears, general agent of 
the Peabody Fund, came to Texas in 1869, expecting to make 
an appropriation of $60,000, he returned home in sadness, 
and reported to the Trustees of the fund, assembled at White 
Sulphur Springs, Virginia, that it was useless to appropriate 
anything to Texas in her present situation ; and suggested that 
unless some Texas educator, well and favorably known, could 
be induced to canvass the whole State, and correct the mistakes 
and explain the abuses of E. J. Davis and his allies, the free 
school system of Texas would be set back twenty-five, if not 
fifty, years. By the earnest importunity of Dr. Sears for the 
Trustees of the Peabody Fund and other true friends of free 
schools, I reluctantly consented to canvass the State and cor- 
rect these abuses, which would result in saving the 3,542,400 
acres of county school lands for the children of Texas. 

"I was astonished to find in my tour the fearful array of 
prejudice agaist a free school system. In several places lead- 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 339 

ing educators denounced my advocacy of free schools as 
unworthy of an old Texas educator. Even threats and insults 
opposed me.' 7 

It was not, however, until 1874 that Dr. Sears appointed 
Dr. E. C. Burleson special agent and lecturer. for one year in 
Texas. In this selection Dr. Sears exhibited his usual good 
sense in choosing the most competent men available in each 
State to assist him in carrying into effect the intention of the 
great trust. Dr. Burleson, however, says that "he was 
appointed because he knew everybody, was not afraid of any- 
body, and was a friend to free schools. 7 ' 

Previous to this Dr. Burleson's services were enlisted in 
the cause of the Peabody Fund, during Dr. Sears' visit to the 
State in 1869, but the extent of his labors in its behalf are not 
accurately known, until the time whence entered upon his 
duties as State lecturer. His first quarterly report is herein 
given : 

First Quarterly Report of Bufus C. Burleson, Prom 
April 21st, 1874, to July 24th, 1874. 

To Dr. B. Bears, Through Prof. 0. N. Hollingsivorth, Super- 
intendent of Public Instruction for the State of Texas : 

Dear Sir — I have the honor to submit my first quarterly 
report as State Lecturer on Common Schools under the. Pea- 
body Education Fund. 

I went immediately from Austin on receiving my com- 
mission, April 21st, 1874, to the city of Galveston. I found 
my old friend, General Thomas BT. Waul, the Superintendent 
of Common Schools in Galveston County, fully alive to the 
great cause of universal education, and determined to make 
Galveston the banner county in Texas in the efficiency of her 
common schools. 

I found things, however, in a very confused and chaotic 
state, chiefly because of the fact that the old De Gress Board, 
in the absence of any regulation, had reappointed themselves 
as Trustees of the county for one year. Neither the people 
nor the teachers had confidence in these self-appointed Trus- 
tees; hence there was but little co-operation and much con- 
fusion as to the distinct duties of the School Directors and the 



340 The Life and "Writings of 

School Trustees. As a consequence, the teachers were 
appointed and left to work out their own salvation and do that 
which was right in their own eyes. It is justice to Jas. P. Cole 
and others, on the old De Gress Board, to state that they pro- 
tested against this disreputable self -appointment, and tendered 
at once their resignations to General Waul, but he and other 
good citizens urged and prevailed upon him and his honorable 
minority to remain and restrain the majority from doing fur- 
ther mischief. 

I found over 6,000 children under the scholastic age in 
the county, and nearly all of them in the city of Galveston. 

I visited and delivered lectures before all the principal 
schools. I found them, as a whole, doing well. Some of 
them were very high models in discipline in the manner and 
ability of teaching. Mrs. Goodwin's school was equal to any 
I have ever visited in Texas. 

I made an effort to organize a Teachers' Institute, but 
found it impracticable, as nearly all the schools were drawing 
to a close, and there was great uncertainty whether the same 
teachers would remain in the common schools. Indeed most 
of them had resolved not to continue to teach unless there was 
a general remodeling and greater certainty in regard to prompt 
pay. They, however, expressed a great anxiety to organize a 
Teachers' Institute as soon as the common schools reopened, 
provided they continued to teach. I have found the same 
difficulty existing all over the State, and I deferred organizing 
Teachers' Institutes till fall. 

I found that great confusion and dissatisfaction exists in 
regard to the salaries of teachers. The matter being left to 
each district, I found one district giving higher salaries to 
inferior teachers than was being paid to teachers of higher 
grade and greater ability and experience in an adjoining dis- 
trict. And some inexperienced colored female teachers were 
receiving salaries equal to Mrs. Goodwin. Also, in some in- 
stances, one district would offer higher wages to induce a fav- 
orite teacher to remove into another district. I suggested as 
an immediate remedy for these evils that as soon as the new 
teachers were elected a convention should be called and all the 
schools be well graded; also, that the salaries of teachers be 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 341 

made uniform according to the grade of the school and the 
experience and ability of the teacher. 

I am convinced from what I have seen in all our large 
towns and cities, including Galveston, Houston, Jefferson, 
Dallas, Sherman and Denison, that the present law must be 
so amended as to permit all large cities and densely populated 
counties to elect a special city or county superintendent — a 
man of great ability as an organizer and experience as a 
teacher — to superintend and regulate all these things. He 
should be paid and required to devote his time to the duties 
assigned to him. 

I conferred with the Mayor and many leading citizens 
relative to the importance of making a special effort to elect, 
at the approaching election, the best men in the county aa 
Trustees, and to use every influence to co-operate with G-en. 
Waul in making the common schools in Galveston a great suc- 
cess. Galveston secured, years ago, eligible lots for school 
buildings at the instigation of County Judge Jas. P. Cole. 

As soon as'I learned the new Trustees were elected, I 
returend to Galveston, and delivered a lecture to a convention 
of all the teachers in the county, in which I pointed out the 
defects I found existing in the former schools. They 
appointed a committee of one teacher from each district to 
meet monthly and confer fully on all the great interests of the 
schools, and also a committee to provide school houses. 

I was rejoiced to find the Trustees were the very best 
citizens of Galveston. I promised them to return when the 
schools open and organize a Teacher's Institute, at which time 
the Honorable Mayor promises to call a mass-meeting of citi- 
zens in behalf of common schools. 

If we can demonstrate in a few great centers of influence 
the efficiency of the common school system, then we can dispel 
the doubts and break down the prejudices so common in Texas 
against its adoption ; hence I propose to direct special attention 
to those places. 

I am happy to report that I found two of the colored 
schools in Galveston in a very fine condition. The school 
taught by Miss Fanny Williams (F. W. C.) and the Barns 
Institute were conducted in such a manner as to give me 



342 The Life and Writings of 

renewed confidence in the possibility of educating the colored 
race. 

Houston and Harris County I found less favorable to 
common schools. The schools generally had not met the pub- 
lic expectation and were not well organized. Dr. Ashbel 
Smith, the learned County Superintendent, lives remote from 
Houston, the county seat, but has done the best he could under 
the circumstances. I visited the schools at an unfortunate 
time, as they were in recess, preparing for their May festivities 
on a large scale. 

At Hockley I found a better spirit and a determination 
to reorganize in September with a full corps of efficient 
teachers. 

At Crockett and in Houston County I found a disposition 
to co-operate and build up common schools, but there was a 
strong inclination to complicate with some cherished private 
school. In my address to them I endeavored to explain 
clearly the present school law, and the importance of keeping 
common schools free from entangling alliances, but, should 
necessity require a temporary blending, the terms ought to be 
well defined, because no aid could be received from the Pea- 
body Fund except for common free schools. 

At Huntsville, in Walker County, I found a dead acqui- 
escence in favor of common schools without any well defined 
purpose. The leading citizens heard my lecture with earnest 
attention, and promised co-operation, but I fear, with a few 
exceptions, they have the impression that common schools are 
mainly for charity schools and must, from necessity, be of 
inferior grade. 

Near the farm of Col. Green, five miles east of Hunts- 
ville, there is a very flourishing colored school, which seems to 
be doing well. They want to get aid from the Peabody Fund 
to enlarge their faculty. 

"While at Marshall and Jefferson I was too hoarse to lec- 
ture, and too lame to walk much, yet I gave all the information 
I could. The leading men in these towns are very doubtful 
of any good results from common schools. 

The citizens of Marshall would be glad to have one of the 
State Normal Schools located there, and will turn over to the 
State a comomdious building for that purpose. 



Dk. Kufus C. Burleson. 343 

At Calvert and in Eobertson County I found tilings very 
much mixed. At Bremond and a few other places common 
schools had done well. Prof. C. E. Stephen is one of the best 
County Superintendents I have met, and if he could spare the 
time to give common schools the requisite attention he would 
make them succeed. 

At Calvert my lecture was well received by a majority of 
the leading citizens, but I met open hostility from Dr. Mood, 
President of the Methodist University at Georgetown. I 
invited him and a number of the leading Methodist educators 
and preachers, *who were in Calvert holding an educational 
convention, to hear me, hoping that they might be influenced 
to give me some aid in my arduous mission, and from courtesy 
I invited members of the convention to take part in the dis- 
cussion. Whereupon Dr. Mood, in an inflammatory address, 
appealed to the old prejudices of the South, and entered his 
protest against anything and everything originating in New 
England or the monarchies of the Old World. He especially 
objected to my position that the State had the right to tax the 
people of the country to educate the children of the improvi- 
dent and the poor. Several of his brethren joined heartily in 
with him. 

I fear all the preachers and teachers of that church with 
any personal connection or interest in their church schools 
will throw every obstacle in the way of common schools. 

My visit to Waxahachie confirmed me in this impression. 
My old friend, Dr. Pugh, President of Marion College, 
declined to give notice of my appointment to lecture, and he 
and his friends seemed to do all in their power to prevent the 
masses from hearing me on common schools. Nevertheless, I 
received a patient hearing from all the leading men in the 
community not immediately connected with the Methodist 
College. I endeavored to show the congregation that common 
schools would be an assistance and not hostile to all real 
colleges and ministers. 

At Ennis and Lancaster I found a better spirit and was 
cordially received. 

At Mt. Calm and Spring Hill, in Limestone County, 
the people had failed to do anything and were wellnigh in 
despair. After hearing me fully on all the difficulties, and the 



344 The Life and Writings of 

best means of removing them, they resolved to make one more 
earnest effort. 

Dresden, in Navaro County, is more hopeful, and will 
organize vigorously, and apply for aid from the Peabody 
Fund. If they can avoid sectarianism they can succeed, and 
will deserve assistance. 

Collin County is in a better condition than any county in 
the State. Col. Alexander was a noble Superintendent, and 
his removal to California is a calamity to universal education 
in Texas. Col. Rogers, his successor, pledges himself to do 
all he can in support of my efforts. I was cordially received 
and heard at McKinney and in every part of Collin County. 

I was delighted to find in the Rev. Mr. Park, of McKin- 
ney, a professor in the Methodist Male and Female Institute, 
a warm supporter of common schools. He was conected with 
common schools nine years in St. Louis, Mo. If the arrange- 
ment can be made, he is anxious to turn over the building and 
furniture of his school to the State, and make it a graded 
school for Collin County. Grayson County has done some- 
thing, but is far below Collin County in the number and 
especially the efficiency of her schools. 

Denison is all alone with reference to common schools 
and education. They have commenced a school house, to 
cost $30,000, which amount is to be raised by the sale of city 
bonds. I found the schools all full and organized, but sadly 
in need of room and school furniture. 

All of which is respectfully submitted, 

RUFUS C. BURLESON, 

State Lecturer on Common Schools in Texas. 
Waco, July 21st, 1874. 



Dr. Eufus C. Burleson. 345 



CHAPTER XLI 



Address of Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, Chairman, Before 
the Board of Trustees of the Peabody Education 
Fund — Appropriation of the Fund to Texas in 1877 — 
Differences Regarding Appointment of Superintend- 
ents of Peabody Schools — Dr. R. C. Burleson's Let- 
ter on the Subject — Annual Report of Dr. B. Sears 
for 1877 — Dr. Burleson Charged With Sectarian 
Bias — Vigorous Denial — More of the Pioneers of 
Texas — Joint Canvass of the State by Drs. Sears 
and Burleson. 



Mj N THE address of Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, chair- 
j2JLj man of the Board of Trustees of the Peabody Edu- 
11IIJ cation Fund, at the fifteenth meeting of the Board, 
held in New York, October 3d, 1877, he says: "The one 
thing needful for these States, under the changed social con- 
ditions resulting from the war, was an enlightened public 
opinion on the subject of education, and a deeper impression 
of the essential importance of free schools for their whole 
population under regulations of their own establishment, 
together with examples of schools of the highest character, 
and Normal schools for the training of teachers. I think it 
will abundantly appear from the reports that such have been 
established, and that such a public opinion has been created in 
many of the States, if not quite in all. 

The visit of Dr. Sears to Texas during the last winter, 
agreeably to the instructions of the Board, was welcomed in 
many parts of that great State, and there is every reason for 



346 The Life and Writings of 

hoping that the interest which it awakened will not be without 
important results." 

In 1877 Texas received $10,800 from the Peabody Fund, 
which, added to the annual sums previously donated, was 
$18,600. This amount was paid to incorporated cities which 
complied with the requirements of the Board. 

It seems that some misunderstanding arose during this 
period on the part of cities which were the beneficiaries of the 
Fund . regarding the selection of principals of such schools. 
The only stipulation exacted by Dr. Sears was the Superin- 
tendents elected by such cities must be fuly competent to 
undertake the management, and he went no farther than to 
recommend such persons to fill vacancies. Dr. Burleson was 
the intermediary in such cases, and he thus became an object 
of attack. In only one instance, to the San Antonio Herald, 
does he make any effort to correct the erroneous charge. That 
journal on one occasion said: 

"It is generally understood that unless Dr. Burleson, 
Peabody agent, has the appointment of Superintendents, the 
$2,000 that the San Antonio schools are entitled to will be 
withheld. Also that Dr. Burleson has his eye on an eminent 
Baptist minister to take Prof. Plagge's shoes. Some of the 
Aldermen feel like telling Dr. Burleson to take your little 
$2,000 and depart out of our coasts." 

Dr. Burleson answered this charge of sectarian bias in 
vigorous terms, as follows: 

"There is not a shadow of truth in the insinuation that I 
have my eye on an eminent Baptist minister to take my friend. 
Prof. Plagge's, shoes. Prof. H. H. Smith, of Houston, and 
Prof. Rightstell, of Arkansas, are the only men I ever had 
'my eye upon' for Superintendent in San Antonio, and 
neither of whom is even a Baptist, much less 'an eminent 
minister.' But I soon learned neither could be spared from 
his present position. I received a letter from Judge Divine 
and other eminent citizens of San Antonio urging the claims 
of Prof. J. P. Griffin, and I informed his Honor, Mayor 
French, I would endorse him if elected by the city authorities. 

"Second. It is equally untrue that 'unless Mr. Burleson 
has the appointment of Superintendent, the $2,000 will be 
withheld.' The appointment is left with the Mayor and 



Dk. Bufus C. Burleson. 347 

Aldermen. But the Peabody Fund is 'a premium fund/ as 
your correspondent says, and we, as agents, must decide what 
schools are entitled to the 'premium.' We always withhold it 
from any school that is conducted in the interests of any sect 
or party, in religion or irreligion, or any clique or favorite, or 
upon any principle except 'the greatest good to the greatest 
number/ or 'education for the people and from the people 
and by the people.' If cities or communities wanfrto conduct 
their schools on any other principles, they are not worthy of 
the 'premium' offered by the Peabody Pund, and will never 
receive it. But it gives me great pleasure to know that the 
noble Mayor of San Antonio and the noble Mayor of Houston 
are struggling to make their schools a grand success, and we 
are glad to aid them to our utmost ability in giving them each 
$2,000. 

"Third. It seems hard for men to learn that 'eternal 
separation of church and State' is a cardinal doctrine of all 
true Baptists. Our Peter Waldo, and John Bingam, and 
Roger Williams, and the thousands unknown to fame, have 
suffered and died for the principle during the last 500 years. 
If I should pay or reward men for being Baptists I would 
not only apostatize from the faith of Baptists, but aid in fill- 
ing the church with hirelings and hypocrites and the State witli 
indifferent officers. "Give unto Caesar the things that are 
Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's/ 'My kingdom 
is not of this world/ are the grand doctrines of Baptists in all 
ages. And that we have acted on this great principle is evi- 
dent from two well-known facts. Pirst, though Dr. Barnas 
Sears, Prof. O. K". Hollingsworth and I are all strict Baptists, 
and have had the sole management of the Peabody Pund in 
Texas, there is no Baptist Superintendent of any Peabody 
School in Texas. Second. Last year year Dr. H. Clarke, a 
Baptist of thirty years' standing, was an earnest applicant for 
Superintendent of Public Schools in Houston, yet Dr. Sears 
and I used all our influence for Prof. H. H. Smith, an Episco- 
palian, and his brilliant success demonstrates the wisdom of 
our choice, as well as our impartiality. 

"I would not waste my. time nor your valuable space in 
these corrections, but in lecturing in 116 counties in Texas I 
have urged, as the thousands will remember, all denominations 



348 The Life and Writings of 

and parties — Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Episcopa- 
lians, Catholics and Jews, Democrats and Republicans — to all 
unite on one common platform, and make our common free 
schools a glorious success and an inestimable blessing to all 
Texas. And if ever I go back on these declarations and the 
creed of my venerable church, 'the eternal separation of 
church and State/ 'let my right hand forget her cunning and 
my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth. 7 

Of course, I do not question the truth of what the San 
Antonio correspondent (of the Galveston News) says in regard 
to what is believed in San Antonio. 

"I wish it to be understood at once and forever that all 
such surmisings are groundless as to myself; and I wish it 
also understood that I am a warm personal friend of Prof. 
Plagge, and all I have done is from a sincere desire to see your 
beautiful city the banner free school city of Western Texas." 

RUFUS C. BURLESON. 

The honest effort to secure efficiency in the endowed 
schools was enhanced by a desire to use such schools as exam- 
ples to encourage the adoption of the free school system. The 
plan worked successfully, and the high standing acquired by 
these few institutions of learning induced a general adoption 
of the system. 

There never was a trust more carefully or judiciously 
handled than the Peabody Education Fund, and the men 
entrusted with its management were ever prompt and active 
in the discharge of their duties in accordance with the wishes 
of its revered founder. 

The history of education in Texas at that time is embraced 
in the reports of Dr. Sears and Dr. Burleson, and the space 
devoted to their evidence is important in connection with the 
active measures taken by the Legislature in the years which 
followed. The annual report of Dr. Sears, as General Agent, 
October, 1877, to the Board of Trustees is a valuable docu- 
ment: 

"The State, from the very beginning made liberal pro- 
vision for education, and though more than $1,000,000 was 
withdrawn and used for military purposes during the war, it 
still has claims and lands sufficient, if properly husbanded, to 



Dr. Ruftjs C. Burleson. 349 

educate every child in the state without resorting to taxation. 
The property held for the school fund has been estimated at 
$30,000,000. The school law of 1870 was so impracticable 
that it was abandoned, and a new one was passed and approved 
April 24th, 1871, and on the 4th of September of the same 
year public free schools were opened for the first time in 
Texas, as we have already observed. They were put in opera- 
tion in the midst of great opposition, and had a very active 
but short life during a period of fierce party strife. The 
number of pupils in 1871 was 63,504, and the expenditures 
were $50,000. In 1872 the former were 115,000 out of 227,- 
615, and the latter $1,342,794. 

''The originators of the system accelerated their move- 
ments by relying more on the authority of law than on the 
slow process of persuasion. If they /did not go too far, they 
at least traveled too fast. As they appeared to have little con- 
fidence in the people, the people at length showed in turn thai 
they had little confidence in them. The one party wielded 
the law to overcome public sentiment ; the other wielded public 
sentiment to overthrow the law. 

"Complaints were made on both sides. On the one, it 
was alleged that there was unreasonable opposition; on the 
other, that there was an utter recklessness and extravagance 
in the expenditure of the public money. The opposition at 
length prevailed, and in 1873 the school law was so changed 
that hardly a vestige of its former character remained. A 
marked difference of opinion still continued, some asserting 
that the public schools were virtually abolished; others that 
the schools were preserved, and only the power to squander 
money was abolished. The immediate effect was undoubt- 
edly adverse to the schools; but what was lost in 1873 was 
regained in 1874, when the attendance (including an esti- 
mate of the counties that did not report) rose to about 161,- 
670, and the amount paid to teachers' to $499,930. In 1875 
the attendance was 184,705, and the salaries of teachers 
$630,334; and the total expenditure for schools and public 
school officers $723,052. The present law is certainly very 
defective, but with a few alterations, such as would probably 
meet with no great opposition, it might be made to operate 
tolerably well. The executive power is not now vested in a 



350 The Life and Writings of 

State Superintendent, but in a Board of Education, consisting 
of State officers, assisted by a clerk. But men who are 
already burdened by other public duties will do little beyond 
giving a formal and hurried attention to schools. The clerk, 
with no official position, and with a small salary, cannot be 
expected to perform other than clerical services. This mis- 
take, which was unfortunately made in the new Constitution, 
may be corrected by making the clerk also the chief executive 
officer, under the Board of Education, and by giving him a 
corresponding support. 

"Another serious impediment to the schools is the restric- 
tion of the tax to such narrow limits, except in incorporated 
cities, that such schools cannot be continued sufficiently long 
to be of much value. The remedy for this lies in the future. 
So ample is the provision for a prominent school fund that, 
if what is due to it from the State shall be paid, and if the 
public lands set apart for the purposes of education shall be 
advantageously disposed of, instead of being sacrificed to pri- 
vate interests and sold for a nominal amount, the fund itself 
will be adequate to the support of all the schools. 

"In the present attitude of affairs, we can effect nothing 
in the country districts. But in the cities, which, by their 
charters, can levy a local tax within certain limits, we have 
ample scope. Perhaps it will be expedient under any circum- 
stances to direct our chief attention at first to the cities. Not 
only can we accomplish more there, and obtain a powerful 
moral support for the system, but can effectually do what is 
most of all needed — present, for imitation, to all parts of the 
State examples of the most perfect organization and manage- 
ment of public schools. It should not be forgotten that in this 
new and distant State there is great want of knowledge on 
this subject. Except with a few teachers educated in Normal 
schools in the Northwestern States, there is a prevailing igno- 
rance of the progress made in recent times in the processes of 
education. Now if in "the large cities which have never had 
free schools the best forms of organization and the best meth- 
ods of instruction can be introduced, the whole State will look 
to them as models; and, besides, a good supply of young teach- 
ers will be furnished, who will carry their newly acquired 
skill to all the remoter districts. Something more is needed 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 351 

than the multiplication of such schools as now exist in the 
greater part of the State. 

"In all the arrangements recently made with the cities 
of Texas this object has been kept distinctly in view. Assist- 
ance has been promised on condition that the schools of each 
city shall be put in charge of a superintendent who has had a 
professional training and experience, and who shall be able to 
train the existing corps of teachers by weekly instructions, as 
well as to superintend the schools and direct the teachers in 
their daily work. Until Normal schools shall be established, 
this kind of training in the cities, and teachers' institutes in all 
parts of the State, will be indispensable. Otherwise, the pub- 
lic schools will be but a farce. I need not say that these con- 
clusions are drawn from personal observation. The contrast 
between two or three cities which haye already adopted the 
improved methods and those that tread in the old Texan 
paths is almost incredible. 

"I spent a part of the winter (1876) in Texas, visiting the 
principal cities as far south as Galveston and Austin. I was 
accompanied by our excellent agent, Rev. Dr. Burleson, who, 
as a pioneer in education, 'had crossed every river and every 
prairie from the Gulf of Mexico to the Red River and from 
the Sabine to the Rio Grande.' He had made the necessary 
arrangements for public meetings in all the places we visited, 
and the assemblies which we addressed were sometimes very 
large. "While in one or two places great indifference was 
manifested, there was generally an interest awakened in edu- 
cation bordering upon enthusiasm. No one can visit this 
State and notice the change which has taken place within the 
last ten years without being deeply impressed with its speedy 
future greatness. While Middle Texas is growing rapidly, 
the tide of population is continually setting westward, new 
counties being organized, and new court houses, school houses 
and churches being built. This circumstance not only illus- 
trates the growth of the State, but shows the character of its 
new citizens, which is very different from that of many of the 
earlier settlers. It is estimated that not less than 150,000 
persons from abroad enter Texas every year. Among these 
are many families of wealth and refinement." 



352 The Life akd Writings of 

This report of Dr. Sears has, for obvious reasons, been 
given in full. It contains a series of facts and criticisms based 
upon disinterested opinions derived from personal observa- 
tions during his sojourn in Texas. His conclusions upon the 
whole are fair and altogether true, except in regard to the 
earlier settlers of Texas, who should not be disparaged in 
favor of the emigrants who have made Texas their home since 
the Civil War. The latter may be in every respect worthy of 
his encomiums, but it can be proven that the people with 
whom they are compared were exceptionally superior as a 
whole to the masses who have assisted in developing the State. 
As pioneers they laid the foundation of the structure which 
the others have since aided in building. In hewing out the 
wilderness they furnished the material which a later civiliza- 
tion utilized in their work. They '^blazed" the road to the 
Capitol of Texas, to the university and to her public free 
school system. 

These sturdy pioneers, with records of daring and unpar- 
alleled heroism, fought for the provision they made for the 
present school system of Texas, as well as almost every other 
public blessing enjoyed. They walked and fought their way 
to the site of the present splendid State Capitol building, and 
made the generations who were to come after them a present 
of it; while those who come into the State now to admire 
it ride in undisturbed ease and comfort on palace cars. 




Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. . 353 



CHAPTER XLII 



Progress of Public Education in Texas — Application of 

THE PeABODY PuND A ID TO ClTY SCHOOLS Dr. BUR- 

leson's Report as State Lecturer — Dr. Sears' Re- 
port as General Agent for 1878 — Dr. Burleson's 
Great Interest in Education in Texas — Offers His 
Services to Dr. Sears Without Compensation — Offer 
Accepted. 



D 



R. SEARS, in his great solicitude for the success of the 
campaign he and Dr. Burleson had been making in 
Texas, was anxious to hear often from those in 
authority, and to draw out expressions from them as to the 
conditions. He addressed them by letter frequently. His 
conversance with the progress made and trend of educational 
affairs in the State, situated 2,000 miles away, was nothing less 
than marvelous. He represented a great fund, but realized 
that it was not inexhaustible. He was not only careful in the 
application of every dollar, but was careful in making appoint- 
ments. He relied on Dr. Burleson's judgment and sought his 
views on all matters. He was fully aware of Dr. Burleson's 
energetic interest in education in its broadest sense, and the 
tremendous amount of work he was doing, and on May 18th, 
1877, he addressed him a word of caution : 

"Have you at last found out that you are not altogether 
made of iron? You know my doctrine, that is is our duty to 
be in good health if possible. I am very glad to learn that our 
tour was not in vain. We certainly did what we could to set 
the subject of education in its true light before the people. I 
shall probably never make another such tour. But if we can 
carry Texas for a good system of schools, it will be a great 

23 



354 The Life and Writings of 

thing." Again, June 4, 1877, he says (after alluding to cer- 
tain differences with certain cities in connection with recom- 
mendation of teachers) : "Now, I wish, you, who know all my 
views, would adjust these matters. I shall undoubtedly con- 
firm all your doings. I enclose a check for $700.00 You 
must not pay too much money out of your own pocket. Est 
modus in rebus." On July 3, 1877, he writes : "I think I 
could pay no Texan who is on the ground over $1,500. Ought 
any such one to be put above you and Mr. Holiingsworth in 
this respect? I think not." September 4, 1877, he says: "I 
have no doubt that some one should look after legislation to 
secure its favorable action. I shall recommend at our 
Trustees' meeting, at New York, October 3, the con- 
tinuance of your agency another year, and then you can 
do what is necessary in this line. As old soldiers, wo 
shall not be discouraged by a few reverses. We are in for the 
war and mean to 'fight it out on this line.' The next term of 
the Normal College begins in Nashville on the first Wednes- 
day in October. Let the candidates go with your recommen- 
dation to President Eben S. Stearns, who will tell them what 
to do, and will give them all needful aid." November 14, 
1877, he writes: "I know no other way than to continue 
your agency half the year, hoping something will 'turn up/ 
and relying on next year's income to pay it. I will endeavor 
to make some school, and not you, wait for the pay." 

These extracts from the letters of Dr. Sears are given 
in this place for the purpose of showing the implicit confi- 
dence entertained by the Board of Trustees in Dr. Burleson's 
work on the recommendation of their general agent. It is 
perfectly evident that Dr. Sears was guided in all his acts in 
relation to the distribution of the Peabody Fund in Texas by 
Dr. Burleson's advice. It is also evident that they all held 
him in the highest esteem. 

The following is -Dr. Burleson's report of his stewardship 
from April 21, 1874, to September 1, 1877, but somewhat 
abridged from the original. It is copied from Dr. Sears* 
annual report of Texas in October, 1878, in volume 2, Pro- 
ceedings of the Trustees of the Peabody Education Fund : 

"In view of the deep interest expresed by Mr. Peabody, 
and felt by the Trustees, in this great and rapidly rising State, 



Dr. Eufus C. Burleson. 355 

and of the want of a succinct and clear statement of the history 
of the efforts there made in behalf of education, I beg leave 
to present, in this place, the substance of our agent's report 
of his four years' service. Though it alludes to parties with- 
out much reserve, and contains so graphic a sketch of what has 
passed before his eyes, that I should be reluctant to with- 
hold it." 

a The old Texans have for forty years earnestly desired 
a system of free schools. They provided a permanent fund 
of $3,500,000 and 70,000,000 "acres of land, now valued at 
$50,000,000. But in the years 1869-73 a number of causes 
arose threatening ruin to all these plans of our early statesmen. 
Identified as I had been for nearly thirty years years with those 
men, and being one of the few of their survivors, I regarded 
it as a sacred duty to aid Governor Coke^ Superintendent Hol- 
lingsworth and others in bringing order out of confusion and 
securing the ends which our fathers had in view. 

"In undertaking my agency I was met at the outset with 
the following difficulties: 1. Our territory is so vast, our 
settlements so scattered and our population so diversified that 
many think it is impossible to establish and maintain a uni- 
form system of public instruction. Of the 1,700,000 people 
scattered over our vast territory 150,000 are Germans, 15,000 
are Mexicans, 13,000 are Bohemians, 3,000 are Poles, 2,500 
are Norwegians and 100,000 are colored people. 2. The 
great mass of the Texans are from the Southern States, know- 
ing little of the value of free schools and less of the best means 
of conducting them. 3. The party placed over Texas by the 
Federal Government made free schools a grand feature of their 
plan of reconstruction, and conducted them on strictly party 
principles. In ignorance or disregard of our poverty, of the 
prejudice of the people, of the vastness of our territory and of 
the diversity of our population, they established a system that 
might have suited New York or Massachusetts, but was ill 
adapted to Texas. The result was as might have been 
expected. Vast sums of money were squandered. An army 
of unpaid teachers was roaming over the country. Private 
schools were unsettled, and nothing was supplied in their place. 
There was, consequently, a collapse of the whole system of 
education. At this juncture another party came into power. 



356 The Life and Writings of 

Like all partisans, they were eager to disparage even the good 
which others had done, and often magnified their blunders in 
regard to free schools. Demagogues and the press were, as 
ever, ready to pander to the passions of the prejudiced and of 
the ignorant, and to raise the clamor, 'Away with free schools ! J 
'Let every man educate his own child.' 4. All these pas- 
sions were intensified by the near prospect of a prize of $15,- 
000,000. The Eepublican Constitution of 1869 had restored 
to the State 8,000,000 acres of land (mostly in the older parts 
of the State), which had been granted to the counties for edu- 
cation by the Constitutions of 1837 and 1845. Land specu- 
lators holding land scrip of the State seized upon these as State 
lands. But, as their right to locate on lands set apart for 
educational purposes was questioned, they endeavored to bring 
odium upon the whole system of free schools, in order to make 
their claims more sure. They called to their aid all the power 
and enlisted all the talent that money could procure. Two 
powerful Christian denominations had established church 
schools in every part of the State, and were, hence, opposed 
to a system of education. 

"In going among the people as agent of the Peabody 
Fund, I had to grapple with all these difficulties. Sometimes 
the opponents met me in fiery debate, and sought to arouse 
against me all the passions and prejudices of the ignorant. 
Sometimes they assailed me in an indirect way through the 
press, and used a thousand devices to prevent me from getting 
a fair hearing before the people. Nothing but my long iden- 
tity with the educational interests of Texas, and the personal 
regard of the hundreds whom I had instructed, gained me an 
audience. I have canvassed all the counties from the Sabine to 
the Upper Colorado, and from the Gulf of Mexico to the Red 
River. This embraces all the older and thickly settled coun- 
ties. I have conferred personally or by letter with all the 
Mayors of towns and cities and with all our leading politicians 
and educators. I have utilized the principal journals of the 
State, and have secured the publication of short articles, and 
sometimes a series of articles, setting forth the importance of 
free schools, and disabusing the public mind of prejudices 
caused by former failures. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 357 

The following ends have been attained : 1. The 8,000,- 
000 acres of land have been rescued and saved for the schools. 

2. Every leading journal and politician of both parties have 
declared themselves in favor of public schools in some form. 

3. One of the two denominations named above has become 
convinced of the impossibility of meeting the wants of all the 
people by means of church schools. The other has undergone 
no change. What is now most needed is an improved school 
law and more decided interest and action by the people.' 7 Dr. 
Burleson's report, which follows, is copied from the original 
document : 

"The last legislature appropriated one-fourth of the entire 
revenues of the State, about $1,000,000 annually for the sup- 
port of free schools. Though much has been done, a great deal 
more remains to be done. We have carried a majority of the 
people, and especially all the better classes for our cause, yet 
there is a vast amount of ignorance and prejudice existing 
against public education ready to burst forth. Hence the pub- 
lic mind needs to be thoroughly enlightened and guided. We 
must have our whole school laws remodeled and to attain this, 
we need powerful agencies to arouse the people, so that they 
will send competent men to mould favorable legislation on 
education. Unless this is done the public tide now in our 
favor may react, and then it will be far more difficult to restore 
public confidence. I am constrained, therefore, to advocate, 
that i- vigorous agency should be maintained in Texas until 
after the meeting of the next Legislature with the object of 
securing the remodeling of our school laws. 

I have been thinking that it would be impossible for me to 
continue my exertions as your agent for the Peabody Fund 
owing partly to the injury to my health from the arduous 
toils of traveling and of public speaking during the past win- 
ter. Besides other interests loudly call for my labors and I 
would gladly be released. But with the facts before you, and 
from your own observations you can comprehend the situa- 
tion and if you can find no one to take my place I will continue 
at every sacrifice. 

RUFUS C. BURLESON, 
State Lecturer and Agent for the Peabody Fund. 

Waco, Texas, September 1, 1877. 



358 The Life and Weitings of 

Dr. Sears was so much pleased with this comprehensive 
report that he embodied it in his annual report. It was evi- 
dently the first official report that he ever received from Dr. 
Burleson relative to his Work in Texas. 

In the proceedings of the Trustees which gives Dr. Bur- 
leson's last report, Dr. Sears adds in connection therewith : 

"The Secretary of the Board of Education (of Texas) in 
a letter dated July 1, 1878, referring to our aid, says : "The 
effect upon public sentiment produced by the schools at Deni- 
son, San Antonio, Brenham, Houston, and New Braunfels, is 
very marked and encouraging to the friends of popular edu- 
cation in this State." Our Agent, Dr. Burleson, writes Au- 
gust 20, 1878 : "Our brilliant success in Houston, Brenham, 
Denison (and I may add with some modification, San An- 
tonio), has been worth $20,000 to Texas." 

The plan described in my last report of recommending 
to the cities aided by the f und experienced and skillful super- 
intendents, to organize graded schools and to select and train 
teachers, was fully tried in Houston, with results which have 
not only gratified but astonished both the city government 
and the people. A few such experiments will clear away all 
doubts as to the value of public schools. There can be no ques- 
tion that this is the surest and quickest way to remove preju- 
dice on the subject, where it exists." 

The Secretary of the Board of Education, writing July 
30, 1878, after saying that the reports giving the statistics of 
the schools the present year have not yet been received, adds : 
''Under our present law, our schools have prospered as they 
never did before. The system has taken such deep root in the 
popular mind that no fears need now be entertained for the 
future." 

"There will be so many cities applying for aid from the 
Peabody Eund that it will be impossible for me to make a 
satisfactory selection." "It will take at least $25,000 to sup- 
ply the calls that will" be made." "I am clearly of the opinion 
that the Trustees would best advance the interests of popular 
education in this State, if, instead of aiding a few cities, they 
would appropriate $10,000 for the support of a good Normal 
School. I am confident that the State would liberally co- 
operate with them in such a work." 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 359 

Dr. Sears writes to Dr. Burleson July 14, 1878, "The 
prospects of our funds are no better, not quite so good. I 
shall be obliged to close our agency in Texas with this year. 
I did the best I could for you the current year. I wish the 
people would make you State Superintendent, or something 
equivalent to it, but I suppose no one can tell what the poli- 
ticians will do." 

September 20th, 1878, he again writes, "Your proposi- 
tion for volunteer work, without pay, will undoubtedly be 
accepted." 

In order to appreciate Dr. Burleson's interest in educa- 
tion in its broadest sense the above offer of gratuitous service 
must not be forgotten. It not only shows his love for educa- 
tion in general, but it shows his wisdom at the same time. 
College Presidents and Principals of private schools all over 
Texas were crying "away with free schools, they will absorb 
our patronage, and thus destroy our institutions." 

Dr. Burleson argued, with the University worthy of 
existence this would not be the case. That a system of public 
education among the masses would stimulate the desire for 
high scholarship, and that the common schools would act as 
feeders to these Universities. After thirty years' experience, 
this has been demonstrated to be the result. 

He therefore stands out as perhaps the only example in 
history, of the President of a denominational University, can- 
vassing, without pay to induce the people to adopt a system of 
free education, and when it was adopted, he rendered valuable 
and active service in perfecting it. 




360 The Life and Writings oe 



CHAPTER XLIII. 



Brief Review of the Administrations of Governors 
Cofje and Hubbard, with Reference to Education — 
Governor Roberts' First Administration — State 
Teachers' Convention at Austin — Dr. Sears' Proposi- 
tion for a Normal Institute— Dr. Burleson's Letter 
to Governor Roberts on Free Schools — The Public 
on Governor Roberts, and Dr. Burleson Because of 
the Veto — Dr. Burleson's Reply to a Newspaper 
Attack, on His Letter to Governor Roberts. 



NDER the administration of Governors Coke and Hub- 
— — bard embracing a period of five years, wonderful im- 
™I2J provement was manifested in all the departments 
and functions of the State government, and a good foundation 
laid for continuous development. Under their influence a 
splendid prosperity dawned upon the country, and the people 
of the State were inspired with general gratification at the 
restoration of good government finally established. 

During Governor Coke's administration the Legislature 
adopted a resolution November 1st, 1876, accepting* the pro- 
visions of the Federal grant for the creation of the Agricul- 
tural and Mechanical College, and they also made especial pro- 
visions for this institution. The Federal grant was a permanent 
endowment of $209, 000 from the proceeds of the Federal land 
grant which produces an annual interest of $14,280.00. 
Brazos county voted a donation of land valued at $18,000.00 
to secure the location of the College at Bryan. 

The constitution of 1876 made the college a branch of 
the State University. The first Board of Directors met July 



Dr. Rtjfus C. Burleson. 361 

26th, 1875, and it was formally opened for the reception of 
students October 4th, 1876. 

On January 21st, 1879, 0. M. Roberts was inaugurated 
Governor of Texas. Two of the requirements in the Demo- 
cratic platform stipulated that the annual . expenses of the 
State government must not exceed the annual income; and 
that a system of public free schools must be maintained. Before 
the meeting of the Legislature as we have seen, the Governor 
invoked the aid of Dr. Burleson, and the teachers to improve 
the school law. This f orsight resulted in great improvements 
in the schools, as well as reducing the expenses of them 
through the adoption of the measures recommended by the 
committee. 

Dr. Sears, General Financial Agent of the Peabody 
Fund, who was present, acted with the committee and made 
the following proposition : 

To His Excellency, 0. M. Roberts, Governor of Texas: 

Sir: — I beg leave to address, and through you to the 
General Assembly of the State, the following proposition, to- 
wit: If the legislature shall see nt to establish a first class 
Normal School, and to appropriate for its expenses $6,000 per 
annum, the Trustees of the Peabody Education Fund will 
duplicate that sum for the same purpose, for a period of two 
years, with the expectation of renewing the arrangement from 
year to year after that period, during the pleasure of both. 
parties. 

Your obedient servant, 

B. SEARS, General Agent. 

The governor advocated the measure in a special message, 
and a law to that effect was accordingly passed making an 
annual appropriation of $14,000. A large school building and 
surrounding grounds were donated by the citizens of Hunts- 
ville for the proposed Normal School, and it was established 
and the school opened October 10, 1879, with Professor Ber- 
nard Mallon as Principal. 

It is a living monument to the hero of Texas and was 
named in his honor, Sam Houston Normal Institute. The 
Houston Memorial Hall in the new building, is one of the 



362 The Life and Writings of 

largest and best audience halls in the State. It is ninety-eight 
feet long, seventy-one feet wide, and will seat comfortably 
1,500 people. 

In August, 1892, Professor H. C. Pritchett resigned the 
office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to accept the 
principalship of the Institution. Under his able management 
the school has continued to prosper, and is in the highest sense 
a State school for educating and training teachers for our pub- 
lic schools. 

The following letter from Dr. Burleson to Governor 
Roberts, and published in circular form sets forth his views 
on the subject of free schools : 

Waco University, Waco, Texas, April 29, 18 79. 
Governor 0. M. Roberts, Austin, Texas: 

Dear Sir : — Your telegram requesting the public use of 
my letter on free schools was received yesterday at Dallas. 
You are fully authorized to use any letter of mine which you 
think will inure to the public good. I never write anything 
I am not ready to avow and defend semper et ubiqur. But as 
that letter is a mere outline or summary of conclusions reached 
in our protracted interview, it may be liable to misconstruc- 
tion; hence I send you a fuller statement of my views on this 
great subject: 

First — I am profoundly concerned for our educational 
interest, and as free schools lie at the foundation of practical 
and universal education, as well as the prosperity of our col- 
leges and universities, I am their friend and advocate. The 
history, constitution and laws of Texas for forty years demand 
free schools; the highest interests of Texas, socially, politically 
and financially all demand an efficient system of public edu- 
cation. 

Second — But the present system of free schools is not 
what the interests and the constitution of Texas demand. It 
is a failure and a prodigal waste of at least $800,000 of the 
peoples' money; and if continued, will, in a few years, dis- 
grace the Democratic party and destroy our hopes of making 
Texas the banner State between the oceans. 

Third — Some of us, at your request, have strained every 
nerve and spent days and nights of toil to remodel the system 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 363 

and make it economical, efficient and a blessing to Texas. 
Such a system as your Excellency could approve, and the peo- 
ple gladly sustain. But, alas ! Many of our people, and some 
of our officials, have no higher idea of free schools than a cheap 
charity school, paid for by other peoples' money. They seem 
not to know that the only system of Free Schools a State can 
sustain in law or justice, must have these four essential ele- 
ments. 1. Thorough combination or association. 2. Rigid 
economy. 3. Strict supervision. 4. Great efficiency. 

.Another great aim of Free Schools must be to improve 
teachers in the science and art of teaching and elevating the 
profession of teaching. All these great ends I find fully at- 
tained in the Public Schools of St. Louis, Cincinnati, Charles- 
ton, Richmond, Philadelphia, Newark, New York and 
Boston. 

But who will dare claim that a single one is attained in 
our system? Our system has no combination, no adaptation, 
no economy, no supervision, and consequently no efficiency; 
and instead of elevating the character and profession of teach- 
ing, is drawing from the State and profession our best teachers, 
and raising up an army of "pedagoging tramps," as numerous 
and as hungry as the locusts of Egypt. Our people do not 
comprehend what that great and good man, Dr. B. Sears, who 
traveled 1,000 miles to help us renovate our system, said: 
"Have good Free Schools or none. Poor Free Schools destroy 
private schools and supply nothing in their place." 

I feel personally sensitive in the failure of our Free 
School system. For on the accession of the Democrats to 
power by the election of our friend, G-overnor Coke, I found 
the people chafing and maddened under the Davis-DeGress 
system, and ready to proclaim an elimination of the whole 
system as an off-shoot of radical misrule. 

Wishing to remove such false views and utilize the grand 
fund which our hero founders and fathers had provided for 
the youth of Texas, I consented to leave my home and my life 
work in Waco University. I pled for Free Schools in the 
county seats, and in the Colleges and Universities of over 100 
counties in Texas. I everywhere pledged the people that the 
party in power would remodel the whole system and so adapt 



364 The Life and Whitings of 

it to Texas, as to make it a blessing to the 360,000 children of 
Texas within the scholastic age. 

But these pledges have not been redeemed, yet I never 
despair of the Republic or any good cause. Rome was not 
built in a day, nor have our majestic live oaks grown up like 
Jonah's gourd in a night. It took centuries to develop their 
giant girth. We must, with God-like patience, learn to labor 
and to wait. 

But I utterly despair of any legislative body in Texas, 
in the next twenty-five years, giving us just the school system 
adapted to our diversified wants. 

This work can only be done by selecting a committee of at 
least three of our greatest practical educators, three of our most 
eminent jurists, three of our most eminent bankers or finan- 
ciers, and give them time and power to remodel the whole 
system from turret to foundation stone; give them means to 
procure books and school reports, and visit, if need be, the most 
successful free schools in the United States, especially the 
West, where the sparseness and diversity of population is sim- 
ilar to ours. 

Such a committee, if wisely selected can, with one-tenth 
of the State revenue, and with provision for local taxation, 
inaugurate a system of free schools adapted to Texas, and 
capable of enlargement as our population becomes denser. 

Such a system in five years will be the pride of all Texas 
and repay the expenses of such a committee even in the item 
of immigration. 

Neither the present, nor the Davis-DeG-ress system, is so 
well adapted to Texas as the old system prior to 1861. 

That was wholly inexpensive and did educate every 
orphan and every indigent child in a good private school ten 
months in the year. Yet our present wants demand some- 
thing more than that system. But what to do in the present 
attitude of affairs is the vexed problem. 

If you veto the present school appropriation bill a wild 
clamor will be raised against you, and the "Democratic party. 
And besides, it would be a real public calamity to withdraw 
all aid from such cities as Denison, Brenham, Houston, San 
Antonio and others, where the free schools by local legislation 
have become the blessing and pride of the people. But still 



Dr. Rufus C. Burlesox. 365 

the stern old maxim confronts us, that "It is a robbery and 
fraud to tax a man and take away his money for any other 
purpose than the public good." 

]STo man can defend public schools sustained by taxation 
except on the ground that they increase the virtue and intelli- 
gence of the people, and thereby give greater security to life, 
liberty and the pursuits of happiness, and that it is cheaper to 
build school houses to restrain crime than it is to build jails 
and gallows for criminals. I advocated free schools solely as 
a police force to prevent crime and thus protect the lives, 
property and liberties of the people. And I hold it evident, 
that the history of Germany, France, England and America 
demonstrates the great fact, that the schools, if properly con- 
ducted, afford a cheaper and safer protection against crime 
than sheriffs, standing armies, jails and penitentiaries. 

The State has no right to tax one man to bestow a charity 
on another man's child, nor to waste it on a doubtful scheme. 
But the State has "a divine right" to tax every man to so 
educate the rising generation — to insure every man's property, 
person and liberties, to protect them more securely. This is 
old-fashioned democracy as taught by Jefferson himself. But 
the sentimental cant about "the State owing to every child 
an education" savors of agrarianism and would plunge this 
nation into the vortex of communism in twenty-five years. 
And it is high time to eliminate from government all these 
dangerous tendencies. 

The logical question then remains, does the $100,000 
expended annually on our free schools so educate the rising 
generation as to protect the life, liberty and property of the 
taxpayer? 

It is confessed on all hands, that three-fourths to nine- 
tenths are wasted on' a defective system. Then it ought on 
every principle of logic and good government to cease. It 
may not be good "party policy" to veto the bill. It may be 
dangerous to arouse the prejudices of the three great classes : 
First. The demagogue; second, the unthinking, and lastly, 
the sincere but mistaken advocates of Tree Schools. But in a 
public life of nearly forty years I have found it safe to ask 
but one question : Is it right ? And then do right and leave 
the consequences to God. 



366 The Life and "Writings of 

Trusting you will be able to do all that will promote the 
good of the State we love so well and have served so long. 
I am, as ever, yours truly, 

KUFUS C. BURLESOK 

A great amount of undoubted proof is in existence that 
the closest relationship existed between Governor Roberts and 
Dr. Burleson, and that they consulted freely on the subject of 
Free Schools and labored together with great earnestness for 
their betterment. 

On account of their opposition to the adoption of the 
proposed defective school law, which partially perhaps through 
Dr. Burleson's advice the Governor vetoed, both were roundly 
abused by many persons in public life as well as numbers 
of papers. 

To one of these papers (The Waco Telephone) he replied 
as follows : 

Waco University, May 27, 1879. 

"In an editorial in your issue of May 20th, you pro- 
nounce my letter to Governor Roberts on Free Schools * * 
* * "one of the most inconsistent documents that ever 
emenated from the pen of an intelligent, practical man." The 
article denounces my plan as "Utopian and dreamy," and 
finally prays, "God forbid that Texas should ever be forced 
to adopt the views of Dr. Burleson." All this you call "frank 
criticism." I would modestly suggest that the whole editorial 
is a medley of blunders and hasty, illogical conclusions, the 
work of a short-sighted young man. But I will not do this, for 
I learned, probably long before the writer of the editorial in 
question was born, that hard words and strong arguments are 
two very different things. That a newspaper, in the Gem City 
of Texas, should denounce my views as inconsistent, dreamy 
and Utopian, might have mortified me greatly, but for this 
consolation: The Galveston News, the prince of Southern 
journals, and many of the finest legal and logical minds of this 
State have praised my letter highly. Others declare it the 
finest argument they ever read in favor of free schools. But 
you say : "Analyze his long letter, and what are his deduc- 
tions ? Dr. Burleson is opposed to the present system of free 
schools and yet what does he offer in its stead? A Utopian 



Dr. Eufus C. Burleson. 367 

scheme, that may be practicable when Texas has five or ten 
million inhabitants. When Galveston, Houston, Austin, San 
Antonio and Waco rival his ideal cities of New York, Philadel- 
phia, Boston and St. Louis in wealth and population.' 7 

"Now, if the writer of the above will .put on a pair of 
magnifying glasses, he will see he has misconstrued my whole 
letter. Where did he learn that New York, etc., were my 
"ideal cities?" I have ever regarded them as very real and 
not at all 'ideal." I found the free schools, too, not "ideal," 
like ours, but real blessings, and the pride of all the people. 
And my plan can be inaugurated on the 1st of September next, 
and as I told Governor Roberts, in a few years, it will be the 
pride of all Texans. 

"It is true I have despaired of any legislative body devis- 
ing in the next twenty-five years, such a school law as will 
meet all the diversified wants of this Empire State. I do not 
believe this work can be done by any legislative body on the 
continent. Hence, I propose a special committee composed of 
eminent, practical teachers, jurists and financiers. I propose 
this, not because I doubt the patriotism and general intelli- 
gence of Texas legislators, for I have praised them in 100 
speeches, from San Antonio, Texas, to Tremont Temple, Bos- 
ton. No man has a higher opinion of the morality, patriotism 
and general intelligence of the last legislature than I have. 
But the wisdom of managing a fund soon to reach $30,000,- 
000; and nicely adjusting a common school system to our 
densely populated towns and sparsely settled pastoral settle- 
ments; and to our African, Bohemian, Spanish, French, Nor- 
wegian, German, Southern and Yankee population, is a her- 
culean task; and it can never be wisely done by any legislative 
body assembled to legislate on 1,000 other pressing interests. 
Such a work, I repeat, can only be wisely and safely done by 
such a committee as I suggest. However you denounce my 
scheme as "Utopian." But the Hon. Richard Coke, who is a 
grand embodiment of common sense, integrity and statesman- 
ship has pronounced my plan as eminently practical, and just 
the thing we need. But, lest Governor Coke, Governor Rob- 
erts and myself should be deemed old fogys, I will state that 
Texas has really twice adopted this very plan. 



368 The Life and Writings of 

By an act of the legislature of Texas, February 11, 1854. 
John W. Harris, O. C. Hartly and James Willie were ap- 
pointed commissioners to prepare a code amending, revising, 
digesting, supplying and arranging the laws, civil and crimi- 
nal, of the State of Texas. 

"By an act of the legislature July 28, 187 — , Messrs. Ben 
H. Bassett, C. S. West, George Clark, J. W. Ferris and S. A. 
Wilson were appointed to digest the laws, and for this great 
work $25,000 was appropriated. 

So it seems, if I am "Utopian" and a "dreamer," I have 
blundered into good company, for I propose just such com- 
missioners to revise, amend and adjust our school laws. The 
"Telephone" tries to convict me of being illogical and incon- 
sistent, because in one sentence I say : "The State has no right 
to tax one man to bestow a charity upon another man's child," 
and in the very next I say, "But the State has a divine right to 
tax every man to so educate the rising generation that every 
man's person, property and liberty will be protected more se- 
curely." If you cannot see the sound logic and true statesman- 
ship of these postulates, I would advise you to study Whately's 
logic and Wayland's political economy before you ever perpe- 
trate another "frank criticism." If you contend that the State 
has a right to tax one man to bestow a charity on another man's 
child, you yield the whole controversy to the Communists and 
Nihilists, and must advocate their damnable theory of dividing 
out the property of the rich among the poor. But the most 
hopeful sign I see in your whole editorial is, that you have 
betaken yourself to prayer. It is a good sign to see a news- 
paper man engaged occasionally in *'a season of prayer." But 
I predict that with a little more experience in prayer, you 
will be less dictatorial in your devotions, and will add some 
such adjunct as: "Oh God forbid (if consistent with Thy 
will) that Texas should ever be forced to adopt Dr. Burleson s 
views." But what are my views, against which you clamor 
and invoke the interposition of Heaven? My views are the 
result of forty years' study and reading. I have studied the 
history of school systems from the days of Plato, Aristotle 
and Socrates, down through all the nations of Europe and 
every State in America. My views are not merely the result 
of my reading and reflections, but the most illustrious gov- 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 369 

ernors of Texas, for the last thirty years, have honored me with 
their confidence and asked my views on education. I have 
made two long and expensive tours of observation to the older 
States to see the practical working of all the great free schools 
and Universities in America. The President and Professors 
of Harvard, and Brown, and Madison, and Vassar and West 
Point, and the Superintendent of Free Schools and Normal 
Institutes of all the great cities and states offered me the 
most ample means of studying profoundly the organization 
and workings of their institutions. In 1872 I spent three 
months in this work, so that my views are but the views of 
such great free school men as Dr. B. Sears, Dr. Wickerman, 
Dr. Hovey, -Professor Stoddard and others, moulded and 
adapted to Texas. My views and theirs are in perfect har- 
mony. I do not differ from them a single iota. We all believe 
a free school system should have combination, adoption, super- 
vision, economy and efficiency. They all warned me to have 
"good schools or none," and never to waste a dollar of the 
public money, otherwise we will destroy the whole system in a 
few years. We want an efficient system of free schools, 
and we want never to waste one dollar of the peoples' 
money. In conclusion, I can only say my views and plans 
may not, after all, be correct. I claim no infallibility, but 
certainly no man has greater reason to love Texas than I have. 
My family have been identified with Texas for fifty years. 
My kindreds' blood has crimsoned every battlefield in Texas. 
My blood flows to-day in the veins of 1,200 Texas voters. I 
have given thirty-one years of unremunerated toil to Texas, 
and am sad because I have not thirty-one more to give to a 
State I love more than life. 

Yours respectfully, 

RUFUS C. BURLESOK 

He adds: "Lest your allusion to our conversation on 
Mr. Hurst's letter may do Governor Roberts injustice, allow 
me to say that the only reasons for my belief were these : 

First — Governor Roberts for the last thirty years has 
done his own writing and thinking. 

Second — He is a stern old Jackson Democrat, and be- 
lieves in the doctrine pay as you go. 

24 



370 



The Life and Writings oe 



Third — He has always contended the constitution de- 
manded an efficient system of free schools. This is not effi- 
cient, and is therefore, unconstitutional. It wastes prodigally 
the peoples' money, which 1 would never allow, if I had the 
power to prevent it. 

KUFUS C. BUELESON." 




Dr. Bufus C. Burleson. 371 



CHAPTER XLIV. 



Texas State Educational Association — Texas Teachers' 
Convention Organized at Mexia — An Important 
Called Meeting at Mexia August 9th, 1879 — A Con- 
vention oe Teachers at Austin — Dr. Burleson's 
Statement of Convention's Work — The Teachers' 
Recommendations to the Legislature — Committee 
Report on University of Texas, Dr. Burleson Chair- 
man — Last Meeting of Texas Teachers' Convention 
— Ceased to Exist Where it was Organized June 
3 Oth, 1880 — Merged into the Texas State Educa- 
tional Association — Gov. O. M. Roberts Addressed 
the Meeting — Organization of the T. S. E. A., July 
1st, 1880 — Its Continued Success. 



T a meeting of the State Teachers' Convention held 
in Galveston in 1890, Dr. Burleson was requested 
by that body to write a history of the Texas State 
Educational Association, but there is no evidence among his 
papers that he ever commenced the work, except in fragmen- 
tary form. The following letter from Professor W. H. Cole- 
man, dated July 16th, 1890, leads to the inference that Dr. 
Burleson made an effort to collect data for the purpose : 

"I have been trying to recall to my memory the events 
connected with first meeting of the State Teachers' Associa- 
tion, and find my recollection is very dim. I can not even 
determine the year without my diary which is now in Ken- 
tucky. 



372 The Life and Writings of 

"If my memory serves me correctly, the first meeting of 
the Association was held in Mexia, some time in the '70s. You 
were the first President. A Teachers' Convention was held 
the same year at Dallas, called, perhaps, the North Teachers' 
Convention. I was the only person who attended both of these 
conventions. I remember your inaugural address was quite 
lengthy and that you took severely to task the "godless in- 
fluence exerted by some of the Colleges and Universities of the 
country," which aroused the indignation of Gathright and 
Hogg and they expressed themselves quite vigorously concern- 
ing the matter. 

Another prominent event was that Governor-elect 0. M. 
Roberts sent a communication, which was read, in which 
he requested the association to take action for the improvement 
of the Public School system of the State and promising his 
co-operation in regard to such measures as they might adopt. 
I think a committee was appointed to meet at Austin the fol- 
lowing winter in the interest of education. 

"Subsequently, the North Texas Teachers' Association, 
Dr. Malone, President, and the State Association, Dr. Crain, 
President, met at Mexia and consolidated." In conclusion he 
says : "I regret my inability to give you fuller data." 

With this imperfect outline to follow we shall attempt to 
fill in the "missing links," and endeavor to preserve the pro- 
ceedings of this influential body which labored so earnestly 
to improve the educational interests of the State. Their zeal- 
ous work was manifested a little later on in moulding the 
legislation which hastened the present public school system 
throughout Texas. 

The earliest proceedings at hand show that a Teachers' 
Convention was held at Mexia, August 9, 1878. Rev. R. 
C. Burleson being President, and Professor M. Park, Sec- 
retary. After a song by the church choir and prayer by the 
Rev. H. Bishop, its labors were inaugurated by an address 
from the President, which lasted an hour and twenty minutes. 
The substance of the address, and also a list of those who 
enrolled as members is badly mutilated and can not be given. 

A committee reported in favor of an address to be issued 
to the teachers of Texas, requesting them to meet in conven- 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 373 

tion at Austin on the second Tuesday after the assembling of 
the Legislature, for the purpose of organizing a State Educa- 
tional Convention, and the President appointed a committee 
of eleven to issue such an address. 

Professor Smith delivered an address upon Public Free 
Schools and their relation to Colleges and Universities, after 
other questions had been discussed. The convention tendered 
the President its thanks for his able address, and requested 
its publication. 

The following day after the usual proceedings, Professor 
Gathright spoke on a question of privilege in reply to certain 
points in the President's address, and a number of important 
subjects were discussed at length and some pertinent resolu- 
tions were passed. 

After a learned address from Dr. Crane, that ripe scholar, 
and hero of Texas education whose efforts in behalf of the 
cause deserve a better fate, than the ruins at Independence, 
a letter from Judge O. M. Roberts to the convention, through 
Dr. Burleson, was read in which he suggested that the associa- 
tion should take active steps towards influencing State legisla- 
tion in behalf of education. 

The following committee of eleven were appointed to 
meet in Austin: H. H. Smith, of Houston; J. T. S. Park, of 
Mexia; W:,H. Coleman, of Dallas; W. F. Packard, of Mil- 
ford; C. P. Estill, of Mexia; A. J. Roberts, of Belton; Geo. 
Hogue, of Brownwood; R. C. Burleson, of Waco; J. J. James, 
of Bryan; J. A. Craig, of Mexia; W. C. Crane, of Inde- 
pendence. 

The convention adjourned to meet at the Agricultural 
and Mechanical College in Brazos county, the second Tuesday 
in July, 1879. 

To unearth the truth of its proceedings at Austin, we 
must quote from an unpublished defense of Governor Roberts, 
written by Dr. Burleson, after that statesman's death, in which 
he refers to his own work as State Lecturer for the Peabody 
Fund : ''Af ter the most painful and laborious efforts of my 
long life of toil for Texas, I was almost in despair of correcting 
the terrible abuses and saving the school lands; but Judge 
Roberts, then a candidate for Governor, came nobly to the 
front. He suggested that as President of the Association, I 



374 The Life and "Writings of 

might call an extra session to meet in Austin during the sit- 
tings of the legislature so that the teachers and politicians 
might confer freely and wisely together and devise the best 
plan possible for the great question so universally discussed. 
I saw the profound wisdom of the suggestion. I presented the 
subject before the Texas Educational Association at Mexia, 
and a called session to meet at Austin during the session of the 
legislature was agreed upon. We so arranged to have the oldest 
and wisest educators of Texas, with a few from elsewhere and 
also the great Dr. Sears, to meet and consult with us. We were 
invited to go before the legislature and deliver addresses on 
the great subjects dear to the hearts of all true Texans. We 
were also invited to embody our views in regard to school 
laws, which we did after hours and I may say days of intense 
toil. But alas, we found that the Constitution adopted to cor- 
rect the evils of the Davis, or radical Constitution, was so 
framed that no efficient law for Free Schools could be enacted, 
and that the only hope for correcting those evils was through 
amendments to the Constitution. The addresses of the teach- 
ers before the legislature had profoundly impressed that body 
of man that the Constitution should be so amended, but that 
would require time and it was utterly impossible to have any 
system of Free Schools until the Constitution could be re- 
modeled. Dr. Sears was the saddest man I have ever seen in 
Texas. He said, "This is my third trip to Texas, at great 
labor and expense, and yet it is an utter failure, and I shall 
die without accomplishing the last request of the great George 
Peabody, which was to use his funds freely to lay the grand 
foundation for a Texas system of Free Schools, for Mr. Pea- 
body believed, that Texas was destined to become one of the 
grandest States in the Union, and he wanted to see a splendid 
system of Free Schools established here." After he and I had 
discussed the matter until midnight, I suggested that there 
never was a grand thing to be done, but what there was at 
least seven ways to do it, and that there was a way in which 
we could use the Peabody Fund at once in the grand work 
of establishing Free Schools in Texas. I said, if we had 
$5,000,000 in the Texas treasury to-day, we would have no 
teachers who understood the system of successfully organizing 
and conducting Free Schools. The grand thing is, if we wish 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 375 

to make Free Schools in Texas a success, we want a Normal 
College to prepare our teachers, and if you will give us as 
much as you gave Tennessee, $25,000, our governor will 
•recommend to the legislature to appropriate an equal amount 
and we will establish a Normal School and name it for our, 
grand old hero, Sam Houston, and then, by the time we get our 
Constitution changed and ready for work, we will have a 
splendid corps of teachers. The grand old man's eyes were 
radiant, and he said, "Bless God for the light of that sug- 
gestion;" and then asked, "Will your governor recommend 
to the legislature to appropriate $25,000? I am afraid he is 
not as much in favor of Free Schools as you think he is." 
I said, he may not be, but he is a grand old and conscientious 
judge, and the Constitution says, "It shall be the duty of the 
legislature to establish as early as practicable a system of Pub- 
lic Free Schools," and he will carry out his oath to support 
that Constitution to the letter, and you may be perfectly cer- 
tain that he will issue a special message to the legislature to 
appropriate at least $25,000 for a Normal College." Next 
morning, as soon as breakfast was over, I hurried away to 
meet Governor Roberts at the governor's mansion before he 
became engaged with the politicians. I met him as he was 
leaving and I laid the plan before him. His eyes brightened 
with joy as he said, "Certainly, certainly, there is glory in that 
thought, and I will not only recommend the legislature to ap- 
propriate $25,000, but I will also recommend, that they add 
a sum sufficient to pay the board and all necessary expenses 
for a certain number of students from each county, and I will 
be glad to see Dr. Sears in person and confer with him." The 
two grand old men met together and it was a feast to hear their 
deliberations on this great question. Through the statesman- 
ship of Governor Roberts a plan was formulated which was 
intended to correct all the terrible evils which had been 
brought on our system of Free Schools, and to recover the 
county school lands from the railroads and the speculators, 
and which would lay the grandest foundation for Free 
Schools of any nation on this planet." 

The convention of teachers met. in Austin January 28th, 
1879, and continued in session three days. These teachers 
recommended : 



376 The Life and Writings of 

1. That the State accept the proposition, that $6,000" 
be accepted from the Peabody Fund with as much, to be added 
by the State, to establish a first class Normal School. 

2. That $20,000 be appropriated by the State to estab- 
lish a practical course in Agriculture. 

3. That not more than two school communities be es- 
tablished in any city taking charge of its own schools, and 
that one of these be white and the other for colored children. 

4. That three grades of certificates be given to teachers. 

5. That pupils under the instructions of a teacher hold- 
ing a third grade certificate receive $1; second grade, $1.50; 
and first grade, $2 per month. 

6. That six district superintendents be appointed with a 
salary each of $2,300. 

There were other recommendations made by the teachers 
referring to the duties of the superintendents, and to the 
manner in which teachers should be paid by the county 
treasury. The legislature complied with these suggestions in 
all their essential features. We have every reason for believ- 
ing that it was a wise suggestion which brought the Teachers' 
Convention together as an advisory board and that they ac- 
complished a great deal of good in suggesting legislation on 
the subject of education which eradicated existing evils and 
provided future benefits. 

All of the proceedings of the Teachers' Convention are 
not available, but it is presumed that the following report of 
a committee submitted to the Teachers' Convention in Jan- 
uary, 1879, relative to the University of Texas was adopted. 
"Your committee believe the time has came to take measures 
to inaugurate the Texas State University. Texans have felt 
for forty years, a deep interest in this question, and that desire 
was never more intense than at this moment. 

The Constitution of the Republic requires a first class 
University. The Congress of 1836, set apart fifty leagues 
(221,400 acres) of land for two colleges or Universities. The 
present value of this land is $3.50 per acre, or $777,760. Of 
this sum $222,125 is now in the state treasury drawing inter- 
est, and nearly $40,00,0 is ready for investment. 

All of this $262,000 could be used at once to inaugurate 
"The Texas State University." The legislature of 1876 set 



Dr. Rufxjs C. Burleson. 377 

apart 1,000,000 acres of land additional, and also set apart 
every tenth section of land surveyed by railroads for school 
purposes for "The Texas State University." This whole fund 
is at least $1,500,000. The annual interest at 8 per cent, will 
be $120,000. The same Constitution made the "Agricultural 
and Mechanical College, a branch of the University, for in- 
struction in agriculture and mechanical arts, and natural 
sciences conducted therewith." Over 300 young men are sent 
out of Texas annually, thus losing to Texas $250,000, besides 
the loss of that State pride and affection so necessary for the 
future, glory and greatness of Texas. The State, to attain to 
the highest greatness and glory, must be controlled and guided 
by sons ''to the manor educated,' 7 as well as to "the manor 
born." 

But how shall we organize our State University so as to 
combine the greatest economy, the greatest harmony and the 
greatest efficiency? It is a melancholy but well established 
fact, that the majority of State Universities, have proved sad 
and expensive failures. Texas cannot afford to waste $1,500,- 
000, and sacrifice the previous and undying interests of her 
sons in following the unsuccessful methods of . other States. 
But fortunately the State of ^ew York and the City of Lon- 
don present us with a general outline of a plan which will 
utilize every dollar of the vast fund and make "The University 
of Texas," the pride and glory of every Texan and a rich bless- 
ing to. generations to come. 

Your committee would therefore respectfully suggest, 
that the "Texas State University" be organized on the general 
plan given by the Empire State of America, and by the great- 
est city on the globe. 

First — That every chartered College and University in 
the State having $100,000 in cash invested in endowments for 
professorships, and library apparatus and buildings, shall be a 
branch of the State University, provided nothing sectarian in 
religion or any skepticism shall be taught in connection with 
any of said branches. 

Second — That a "Board of Regents," with a chancellor, 
eminent for learning, shall be appointed by the governor and 
confirmed by the Senate, who shall sacredly and wisely dis- 
tribute the annual interest of the University Fund to all the 



378 The Life and Writings of 

branches of the University for the payment of professors ac- 
cording to the actual capital owned and employed by them 
in education. The chancellor and regents shall discharge such 
other duties as the Legislature may direct. 

Third — There shall be erected at the capital a suitable 
building, etc. 

Fourjth — The chancellor and -regents shall provide a 
course of lectures, etc. 

The adoption of these general outlines, with such addi- 
tions as the wisdom of the legislature may suggest, will have 
the following great advantages : 

First — Its great economy. It never cost the State a 
dollar for building and supervision. 

Second — It will bind all sections and all denominations 
in love and sympathy and enthusiasm for "The State Uni- 
versity." 

Third — It will banish from higher education and culture 
all sectarianism and skepticism. 

Fourth — It will arouse the hopes and stimulate the zeal 
of all sections and denominations, so that in twenty-five years, 
Texas will have facilities for higher education, unsurpassed by 
any State in America, or the world. 

Fifth — It will avoid all jealousies and wrangling of the 
sections and denominations and institutions which have ruined 
so many splendidly endowed State Universities, 

These reasons are so great and so self-evident, they must 
commend themselves to every candid man who can lift him- 
self out of the grooves and currents in which so many State 
Universities have run to ruin and failure. All of which is 
respectfully submitted." 

EUFUS C. BURLESON, Chairman. 

There is no evidence at hand to show that these sugges- 
tions met with legislative action at the time, but there is no 
doubt of its influence in hastening the establishment of the 
University or that many of the views were embodied in the 
laws regulating the institution. 

The last meeting of the State Teachers' Convention was 
held at Mexia June 30, 1880, when the following report was 
adopted : 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 379 

"The committee appointed by Dr. Grain, President of the 
Texas Teachers' Association and this association, would re- 
spectfully report that the association which met at Austin 
January, 1879, be invited to participate in the discussions of 
this convention until the program, as previously arranged, 
be carried out, and then, that this association be merged in the 
State Association and that then a new set of officers be elected 
for the ensuing year." 

K. C. BURLESON, Chairman. 

Previous to this, Rev. Wm. Cary Crane, stated the object 
of the convention and Rev. R. 0. Burleson made the intro- 
ductory address. His Excellency, O. M. Roberts, was present 
by special invitation and delivered an address in which he 
dwelt long on the importance to the State of a thorough system 
of public education. He represented their condition, Eis 
course towards them and the policy which the State should 
sustain. He advocated the policy of liberally supporting them 
as far as the means of the State would allow, after defraying 
other needful expenses. 

The two conventions having united, an election was held 
jointly. Dr. Anderson of Trinity University was elected 
President, Professor Hammond of Mexia, Secretary, Professor 
Park of Mexia, Treasurer, and six Vice-Presidents residing in 
different portions of the State. Dr. Oscar H. Cooper, that ac- 
complished scholar, successful educator, and learned gentle- 
man who succeeded Dr. Burleson in the Presidency of Baylor 
University, fixed himself in the educational history of Texas, 
as a wise friend of public education by strongly recommending 
in the consolidated convention, that the next legislature be 
urged to take the steps necessary to organize the University of 
Texas, which induced the passage of a ringing resolution to 
that effect. A committee of nine distinguished teachers was 
appointed by the convention, of which Dr. Cooper was made 
chairman to prepare a plan of organization. The report of Dr. 
Cooper's committee in 1881 was instrumental in the passage 
of the act introduced in the seventeenth legislature by Col. J. 
C. Hutchinson of Harris county, approved March 30th, 1881, 
providing for the establishment of the University of Texas, the 
success of which has exceeded perhaps the expectations of its 
friends. This bill passed the house with only seven dissenting 



380 The Life and Writings of 

votes, and in the same hall where twenty years before seven 
votes har been cast against the secession ordinance. 

It is thus seen, that Baylor University having passed 
through all the successive stages of birth, growth and develop- 
ment, and having became one of the fixed educational institu- 
tions of the world, was not so selfish as to desire to occupy the 
field alone, but reached out through Dr. R. C. Burleson, its 
renowned President, who devoted his wisdom and experience 
in establishing this institution for the State. 

It will also be observed as an historical fact, no less re- 
markable, important and interesting, that Dr. Oscar H. Cooper, 
who twenty years later was to succeed Dr. Burleson in the 
Presidency of Baylor University, was his valuable co-laborer 
in this great work, and though not much more than a boy, 
divided the honor and glory with him. Dr. Burleson and Dr. 
Cooper being the only men who have ever filled the Presi- 
dential chair of the University at Waco, it may be justly 
claimed, that in a sense, among other distinctions, Baylor 
University has also the honor of being the mother of the Uni- 
versity of Texas. This is unparalleled by any known scrap of 
educational history. 

At the night session of the convention Governor Roberts 
again took the floor to develop his views, and to show his 
interest in public education. He stated in his address, the only 
reason why he had not endeavored to render greater assistance 
to public schools was because fie doubted the ability of the 
State to do so without violating its duties to creditors or crip- 
pling the machinery of government. The meeting closed with 
a benediction by Dr. Burleson. 

The next day, July 1, 1880, the first meeting of the Texas 
State Teachers' Association convened. The following resolu- 
tions were adopted. To memorialize the legislature in favor 
of the State University. On change of school law. On gov- 
ernor's address. On validity of claim on treasurer for Univer- 
sity fund. On appropriation of land to chartered colleges. 

The Executive Committee announced that the next meet- 
ing would be at Corsicana the last Tuesday in June, 1881, and 
a called meeting would be held at Austin, during the session 
of the next legislature. The meeting held at Corsicana was 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 



381 



one of much importance, but not more so perhaps than those 
since held. 

It would be pleasant to record more detail of this conven- 
tion, but we refrain from doing so except to show Dr. Burle- 
son's active participation in th*e movement designed solely to 
promote the cause of public education in Texas. 

The personnel of this convention was a high standard of 
manhood. In fact these are few, if any higher callings than 
the profession of teaching; and those who are engaged in it, 
if qualified to properly discharge its duties, represent the most 
cultured class of the country's citizenship. They are the 
guides who awaken intellects, latent powers of mind, and 
direct them toward the pure light of knowledge, and only turn 
to do battle against the hosts of ignorance and indifference. 



J^!%>?£ 






f 



n 







382 The Life and "Writings of 



CHAPTER XLV 




Dr. R. C. Burleson's Address Before the Texas Teachers* 
Convention in Galveston June 30th, 1890 — Pithy 
and Pointed — Breezy and Bright — Witty and Wise 
— Learned and Logical — Education, Public and Pri- 
vate — The Sam Houston Normal Institute Suggested 
for the First Time— Other Matters. 

R. PRESIDENT, Ladies and Gentlemen, and 
Teachers of Texas: 

A good man has said, "not to know what has hap- 
pened before I was born, is to remain always a child." A 
greater man has said, "History is Philosophy teaching by ex- 
ample." A great Philosopher and Theologian has said, "His- 
tory is God teaching by example." Then if we would not all 
be babes, and listen to the teachings of History, and God Him- 
self, we ought to Mnderstand History — not only history 
in general, but as teachers, and leaders of thought, we 
ought to know the history of higher education in our 
State. I know there is a thought, a general impression, 
that old Texans were a wild, semi-savage people, who 
had no grand thought, no grand purpose, and that they 
did nothing, planned nothing that is worthy for us to re- 
member. That only shows that we have fallen into the second 
division ; for not to know the men, the grandeur of their souls, 
the sublimity of their purpose, the wisdom of their plans — not 
to know this, is to show that in thought we are children. I 
am here to show, to demonstrate that of the men who formed 
the Constitution of the old Republic of Texas, there were more 
college men, men educated in colleges, college graduates, than 



Dr. Kufus C. Bukleson. 383 

ever assembled in any similar convention on this continent. 
Not even Massachusetts excepted. I repeat it — the men who 
formed the constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and 
the Constitution of the old Eepublic of Texas were more of 
them college men, college graduates, than ever assembled for 
any similar purpose on this continent. The man that wrote 
the Declaration of Independence and mapped out the Con- 
stitution, George C. Childress, was a graduate of the Uni- 
versity of North Carolina. That grand man who founded the 
first colony and was the Nestor, the path-finder that opened the 
way for civilization in this country, Stephen F. Austin, was a. 
student of Transylvania University. Even though he prided 
himself in letting people believe, and though it was believed 
that Sam Houston himself, was a rought, wild, untutored, half- 
savage man, without any means of knowledge or means of cul- 
ture, yet the men who knew him, who 'knew his secret thoughts, 
knew that for three years he was intimately associated with Dr. 

Anderson, President of College, Tennessee, and at 

night after the duties of his clerkship were over, he would go 
and sit down by that grand old man, that grand thinker, who 
knew how to interpret thought, how to guide thought, and any 
man who was intimate with Houston long, in all the great pur- 
poses of life would hear him quote Dr. Anderson; and while 
he was not in the college list he had really a better college 
education than probably nine-tenths of the graduates of our 
country. Anson Jones is another, and Henry Smith, the first 
governor, a school teacher by profession, was a college grad- 
uate. 

When teachers go into politics they generally make a bad 
failure, but Henry Smith, that teacher, wrote the first declara- 
tion of purposes declaring the duty of Texas to form a Repub- 
lic, and the first resolutions ever read in Brazoria county were 
written by him. 

But these men were not only educated men, but they 
planned for education. Scarcely had the smoke of battle 
cleared away from San Jacinto, scarcely had they got through 
driving the Mexicans out of Texas and scaring the red men 
from the frontier, when they assembled and resolved that 
Texas should have a grand University, and they donated fifty 
leagues (222,000 acres) of land for that purpose. They met, 



384 The Life and Writings of 

those men, there without money enough to buy sugar to put in 
their coffee, and many of them with brogans and unblacked 
shoes on, yet they formed the plan for a grand University. 

Look at it from a denominational standpoint. For I lay 
down this as a grand principle — that God is wise, all wise, and 
that he never expects, never intends, to achieve any great end 
that he does not select suitable agencies; and every Texan 
knows that this is to be the grandest State that the sun in his 
long journey round the globe looks down upon. 

When Jesse Mercer in 1838 said: "Texas is to be the 
grandest State on this continent and we must send men and 
women there to take and plant the standard of the cross or it 
will be like a millstone on the moral agencies of this country." 
They raised $2500 to start the mission, and that sent the mis- 
sionary here who baptized the first couple ever baptized in the 
Gulf of Mexico — Gail Borden and wife, who was the niece of 
Jesse Mercer. And not only Jesse Mercer, but George Pea- 
body was interested in our great State. He said: "Dr. 
Sears, at your age I want you to canvass but one State. I 
want you to look well to the great State of Texas. Found 
well and thoroughly, a system of public free schools. I give 
it to you as my last and perchance my dying charge." Well, 
if this is to be a grand State — and all know this to be its des- 
tiny, and as the good Mercer and Peabody said it would be — 
would not God select grand agents to prepare it. Why, it 
would be an impeachment of the wisdom of the Almighty not 
to understand that these pathfinders of the greatest State be- 
tween the oceans were grand men. They were. Look at it. 
The Methodists, who were the pioneers of civilization every- 
where on the Western Continent, in 1837 sent Dr. Martin, 
the first D. D. it is said ever made on this continent, to Texas 
as a pathfinder, to lay the foundation of Methodism; and in 
1837, one year after the battle of San Jacinto, he came in 
the greatness of his integrity and the order of his piety, and 
the first thing he did was to write and obtain a charter for the 
college that was after his death named for him, and in that 
college he began to instruct many of the leading men of Texas. 

In the strange providence of God he died but his work 
will never, never die. Three years later a man came to Texas 
broken in health, J. B. McKenizie, who had been a circuit 



Dr. Rttfus C. Burleson. 385 

rider among the Choctaw Indians. He had been educated in 
one of the leading schools in Tennessee. That grand old 
leader and general, for he was a general — a great many men 
are educated but not generals — came to Texas, believing, as 
Mercer, Peabody, and all the leaders did, that it was to be a 
glorious State. He did not see much prospect, and went out 
four miles south of Clarksville and opened a little school. 
The work enlarged upon him, enlarged until it became 
McKenzie Institute, McKenzie College, and on that very spot 
between 3,000 and 4,000 young men have been instructed, 
men who have been the grand men of Methodism, the banner 
bearers of the great civilization of Texas. 

Well the Baptists, they sent two grand men that old 
Jesse Mercer selected, William M. Tryon and James Huckins. 
They came and gathered a little feeble flock on Clear Creek. 
Of course you can't get Baptists far from where there is much 
water. In 1842 they went there with only six hundred of 
them and formed an educational society and resolved to found 
a great university. Think of six hundred men starting at this 
and having to keep the savages off. In those days preachers 
went armed, not only in Texas, but in Georgia and the other 
States. In Georgia they went with a Bible and hymn book 
in one hand, and in the other — no, in their saddlebags — 
something, I am ashamed to tell what it was, but instead of 
carrying that in Texas they carried in the other saddlebag a 
shot gun. Well, some of them may have been like one old 
Hardshell. They said to him : "Brother Doodlee, don't you 
believe that everything is ordained, and that it will be just 
as it is ordained ?" ''Yes." "Then, what do you always carry 
your gun for ? If your time has not come the Indians can not 
kill you." "Well," he says, "I know that is the way, that my 
time is fixed, but now, brother, what if I should be going to 
an appointment and meet an Indian and I did not have my 
gun, and his time had come; what a great pity that would be." 
So these brothers who carried shot guns for fear they might 
meet an Indian whose time had come to die, met on Clear 
Creek and resolved to found a grand university, and that re- 
sulted in the founding of Baylor University four years after- 
wards. It has gone on from 1846 to 1890 without ever slack- 

25 



386 The Life aot) "Writings oe 

ing the traces, and in that University have been educated be- 
tween five and six thousand young men. 

Well, this is the beginning. Other denominations acted 
wisely. Dr. Daniel Baker, a worthy compeer of Huckins, 
Tryon, and McKenzie, came and said, "What is the matter 
with you Presbyterians? The Baptists have the rich lands 
where there is much water and we do think the Presbyterians 
ought to have the cities and schools." He got the charter for 
Austin College, located first at Huntsville, afterwards at 
Sherman. He traversed not only Texas, but this continent, 
and everywhere he stirred up the sons of Calvin to act in 
founding a great University in the Empire State of the world. 
And the Episcopalians, under the leadership of my dear friend. 
Dr. Charles Gr. Gillette, founded their school at Anderson — 
, St. Paul's College. They struggled nobly, but circumstances 
of an untoward character occurred, which resulted in the fail- 
ure of their effort. But these were the early movements. I 
am talking about the early history. And the Cumberland 
Presbyterians have their schools and colleges, and a school of 
which any people, any denomination, might be proud. I have 
thus briefly given an outline of the denominational work in 
the State. I glory in the State University, and I glory in our 
Agricultural College, and our Normal School; but that 
agency upon which three-fourths, if not four-fifths of the 
youth of Texas will depend, is the denominational colleges, 
and woe be the day when there shall be a conflict, a collision 
between State institutions and denominational colleges. They 
ought to be parts of one perfect whole, and hence I have re- 
ferred to the work of the denominations in the early history 
of the education of Texas. 

As I have said the early leaders determined in 1837 to 
have a grand university and appropriated fifty leagues of land. 
In 1858 the Legislature of Texas set apart $100,000 in State 
bonds, derived from the sale of Santa Ee territory, to the Uni- 
versity fund. In 1876 the State donated 1,000,000 acres of 
land more, and to-day the lands unsold amount to 2,022,978 
acres; in State bonds $523,511; land notes $106,810, with an 
actual annual income of $47,942 — a sum amply sufficient to 
educate a thousand young men and young ladies. The State 
University has been inaugurated and in active operation, and 



Dr. Eufus C. Burleson. 387 

I rejoice to say, from announcements made by one of the offi- 
cers, that that school is to-day doing a noble work, and I wish 
it God-speed and abundant and glorious success. 

But the Agricultural College deserves notice. You are 
aware that in 1862, when the terrible battle of Bull Run, the 
terrible battles of the Confederacy were being fought, the 
United States Assembly appropriated an amount of land,. I 
believe 180,000 acres to each state to found an agricultural 
college, for they found, as all educators did, that there was a 
great tendency to make education impracticable ; and while I 
never had a particle of patience with this idea of saying every- 
thing must be utilitarian in the sense it is understood, and it 
was a fearful mistake that cui bono was not written on nine- 
tents of the curriculums in use. But some went to the other 
extreme, and the agricultural colleges were a grand desider- 
atum in the educational wants of the country, and the State 
of Texas has appropriated until this institution founded near 
Bryan at College Station has $225,000; other stock, $35,000; 
permanent fund from sale of United States educational lands, 
$200,000. Thus our Agricultural College is upon a basis and 
foundation of future and glorious prosperity. 

Then there is the colored college; for whoever shall 
ignore the colored man, is not a patriot, or if so he is fearfully 
misguided. The colored man is here, was brought here in the 
wise providence of God for his good ; and if we had had sense 
enough to have taken it right, and like Washington and Jef- 
ferson, accepted the fact that he was placed here for his chris- 
tianization (he is to be christianized) and christianized him, 
by that time Stanley would have discovered that immense 
country and sent them all back there, but we have defeated 
the plan. But we are to educate the colored man; we are to 
take him by the hand and help him. But I will never ask 
him to sit down at my table or to come to see my daughter; 
never in the world. I will take him by the hand, provide 
him with his college, and help to educate him. You will 
say, "that is cheap talk." I will tell you what I did. When 
in New York I went to Judge Jessup and said : "We want 
a grand college for teachers and preachers of the colored race. 
Can not you give us $25,000 to start the enterprise?" He 
sat down and figured it up, and said I, "if you will, I promise 



388 The Life and Writings of 

you before God that every true Texas Baptist will see that 
your fund is not squandered;" and after a few weeks he said: 
"Wife and I have decided to give $25,000 for founding a 
college for colored education." And that college is founded, 
and whenever I have heard of their being in trouble — there 
are grand and noble men at Marshall, men who can be relied 
upon — and whenever they are in trouble, I don't care what 
evils, what mistakes they make, I have seen that they got out 
of that trouble. I promised Judge Jessup and his wife that 
I would look after them. And I ask you, Mr. President, and 
every brother and sister here to educate the colored man and 
get him wise enough and good enough to go back to Africa 
and civilize that country; for there won't be room enough 
for him in this country Then we have Prairie View College, 
Fisk University, Tillotson College, and this is what we are 
doing for the colored man, and let us push on and press on. 
Now I come to Paul Quin College at Waco. They are of a 
different denomination but educators should always work 
together and should all go the same road. I want you to come, 
and will not insist on your coming into the water. I am going 
certain, and if you want to take less water in yours, why come 
that way; but for the glory of Texas and the uplifting of 
Texas for the colored man let us stand as a glorious unit. 

When Judge Roberts was nominated for Governor he 
wrote me a letter as president of this convention (I was then 
president of the meeting at Mexia), and he said : "Will you 
call a convention of your wisest teachers ? I want the wisest 
heads and the most comprehensive brains in Texas to help us 
in recommending a school law for Texas." I read his letter 
before the convention of school teachers in Mexia, and accord- 
ingly we assembled there and wrote out a report like school 
masters often do, and it sounded well ; would have sounded 
well if put to music, and if it had been played and sung on 
water it would have sounded beautifully. I did not know 
much about law, and do not now, but I did know something 
about a system of public schools, for I had gone to Boston and 
Rhode Island and almost every place on this continent where 
they had grand free schools and colleges; and I said, "Let us 
call in the lawyers and see if it is in accordance with law." 
I said, "I will never sign my name to that document unless one 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 389 

of the supreme judges or the attorney general comes in and 
says it is according to law.' 7 And we found where it was in 
conflict with about eleven points of the Constitution. I am 
a Democrat, understand, I did not go down when the Democ- 
racy went down into that sour mash, but I will stand by the 
edge of the bucket and when the Democracy comes out I will 
be there. But there were enough mistakes there to horn oif 
the free school in about eleven different ways. There was not 
a point where you could run a free school that it did not 
horn it. We saw it. Dr. Sears hung down his head and says, 
"This is a failure.' 7 We went up to the elegant home of Mrs. 
Anderson, where we staid, and he said, "This is my third trip 
to Texas and it is a failure." I have been married 36 years, 
and I write a letter to my wife every night when I am away 
from home. So Dr. Sears laid down, and I went to write to 
my wife, like all good husbands do, x for I tell you that a good 
husband must next to God worship his wife, and you good 
ladies will please take note of that, for of course it is a mutual 
affair. Well, the Doctor was lying there groaning, and I said, 
"Doctor, I am sorry you can. not sleep." "Oh," he says, "it 
is a failure." "Why," says I, "a failure? I have heard you 
say, and your old president, there never was a grand thing 
that there was not seven ways to do it if you were smart enough 
to find it out." "Well," he said, "what way is there to do 
this?" "Why," says I, "the most beautiful way you. ever 
thought of." That was midnight, and I was writing to my 
wife and he was groaning. I said, ''If we had a million dol- 
lars we have no teachers to carry the schools on to-day — 'that 
is, teachers who know how to teach school. Now, we will 
have that constitution changed; and if you will give us 
$6,500, Governor Roberts will give $6,000, and we will found 
a normal school and prepare teachers for Texas." He said, 
"Will your Governor do it? He is not heartily in favor of 
a free school system, and I know it, but he is a grand lawyer 
and will carry out the constitution or die. The constitution 
says, it shall be the duty of the Legislature to inaugurate an 
efficient system of free schools, and I will risk my life on Gov- 
ernor Roberts carrying out that very thing." He raised up 
and said, "Bless God, there is daylight ahead." 

Right there in the hour of defeat, the hour of midnight, 
this grand normal of Texas was conceived. I saw the Gover- 



390 The Life and Writings of 

nor and it. was all right. I am giving history just as modestly 
as if I was neither here nor there. Thus we organized our 
denominational schools, our State University, our Agricul- 
tural school, our Normal school, and our teachers convention, 
and Texas is organizing for grand work. I might say a few 
sad things on the other side of it. Well, now, I am afraid 
this will spoil it, and I am ashamed of this part of it. Do 
you know that Baylor University is the only college now in 
existence and I am the only living man that was reaching in 
1851 ? The colleges are all dead and the teachers are all dead. 
There have been fifty-seven colleges chartered, and military 
schools, great brass buttons all round the arms, and they have 
passed away like shadows on the lake. I am a little more 
ashamed that our Baptist brethren have wasted $157,000, 
upon a grand college at Benton, Bed Sulphur College Insti- 
tute in Tarrant County. We have a grand college at Baylor 
and $157,000 has been wasted; and how much, Brother 
McLean, you Methodists have wasted, I do not know. I hope 
you have been wiser than we. The Episcopal college that 
friend Gillette organized at Anderson — and they boastfully 
said that St. Paul's College would turn all the other colleges 
into village academies, that the wealth and intelligence would 
flock to St. Paul's — three years after it was a grand stack of 
fodder. St. Paul had departed and the fodder had entered. 
I could tell you some worse things than that on the Baptists. 
But what is the point of giving this? Why these mistakes? 
Alas ! alas ! we never counted up the cost. Why when Judge 
Baylor, and Judge Horton came to me and said, "We have 
elected you president of Baylor University, and it is a dreary 
prospect just now; but in ten years you can build it up 
grandly, and you will have nothing to do through your life 
but to fold your arms and sit down and live at ease." I looked 
at them to see if they were trying to fool me or were fooling 
themselves. They did not count up the cost. I could give 
instances of how we toiled and fought. Why a man came to 
Waco and representing five men he said, "If you adopt co- 
education we will break you up. We have got the money 
and the men." I said, "My friend, you can't break me up; 
and all I ask of you is, when you fail don't get mad, just come 
into line and come back." And they got their school and 



De. Rufus C. Burleson. 391 

their teacher, and elegant man with brass buttons, and my 
brother was a despondent man, and said, "Brother Rufus, we 
may as well give up; we can't compete." I said, "We stand 
upon the eternal rock." And in three years there was not a 
brass button or a stripe there. I say nothing against military 
colleges, but that was not the way to build up a college. 

A college is like a live oak; it must grow and grow, and 
when it has defied the storms of 500 winters, when it is once 
established, it is the most indestructible thing under the sun. 
If the State of Massachsusetts were to grapple with Harvard, 
or Rhode Island with Brown University, the State would go 
down in the struggle. And if to-day the State of Connecticut 
was to say, we will wipe out old Yale, Yale would wipe out 
Connecticut. And the college is established and it takes what \ 
— a lifetime ! Yes, a lifetime to lay the foundation for it. 
I shall begin my fortieth annual session next September, and 
we have been going steadily on. ' Last year we had 685 stu- 
dents, and next year, by the help of God, we intend to have 
815, and here is a head that is always thinking, a hand that 
is always executing, a tongue that is always explaining. I 
have visited and preached in every old town in Texas except 
.Burksville, and I am going there before the summer closes. 
And this is what it takes to build up a college, and if you are 
not willing to pay the cost, do not waste your money; and 
when you have built it up, build up a thing of glory forever. 
I have seen the colleges all die, seen the presidents all die — 
and now, if it is the will of God, I want to outlive this old cen* 
tury, and at the end of the century I want to see the magnifi- 
cent building, and stand upon the grand tower there, and if 
the angel chariots will meet me when this old century dies, I 
am willing to say, "Come, Lord Jesus; my eyes have seen 
it." And then I have only laid the foundation, and other 
men, wiser and better men, must carry it on. I must make 
one other point. I glory in every institution that has for its 
end education in Texas, and in connection with this is another 
mistake. Colleges think to build themselves up they have 
got to tear each other down. That is one of the terrible mis- 
takes. God is my judge that I have never laid the weight of 
that little finger on any college or teacher in Texas, but you 
had better believe I am going to build up what has been left 



392 



-The Life and Writings of 



in my charge. But we are not in each other's way. Brother 
McLean, if you have 1,000 students help me to get 1,500. 
There are to-day 6,000 young men and women in Texas who 
ought to be in the Texas colleges, and we want to work to- 
gether, to encourage each other, to stand by each other, and 
if you fail, try, try again. If you are pressed to the earth or 
ever overwhelmed, say "God is overhead," and glory will 
follow. 




: -. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 393 



CHAPTER XLVI 



Progress of Education in Texas — Development of State 
■ Institutions — Dr. B. Sears' Report for 1879 — Estab- 
lishment of State University — Corner Stone Laid 
November 17th, 1883 — Educational Measures Passed 
During- Gov. Roberts' Administration — Prairie 
View Made a Branch of the University — Medical 
University at Galveston Opened October 1st, 1891 
— Summer Normals — Value of School Property — 
Charitable Institutions — Generosity of the People 
in Payor of Education. 



T 



HE culmination of all the trials and conflicts of Dr. 

Barnas Sears, Agent of the Peabody Fund, and Dr. 

Rufus C. Burleson, his faithful representative and 
coadjutor in Texas briefly recited in the last ten chapters, 
forms a story of much value, and possesses much interest to 
the student of the educational history of Texas. Some other 
facts will be merely touched, and then the results of their 
labors given. . 

Dr. Sears in his report to the Trustees of the Peabody 
Eund in 1879 says, ''We learn from a special paper prepared 
by the Secretary of the Board of Education dated June 2d, 
1879, that the expenses of this Department were for the year 
1874, $703,117; for 1875, $767,052; for 1876, the office 
was closed and there was no report but they were not less than 
$500,000; for 1877, the amount paid to teachers was 
$500,000; for 1878, it was $750,000. Of the children of the 



394 The Life and Writings of 

State, only those between the ages of eight and fourteen were 
enumerated. The whole number is 194,353, of whom 149,- 
719 are white and 44,636 colored. There were enrolled in the 
public schools in all 146,936. Of this number 111,038 were 
white and 35,898 were colored. 

Since the opening of the year 1879, there has been in all 
Texas a constant contention in regard to school funds. The 
general assembly at its last session, early in the year, passed 
a law making very liberal provisions for schools. The Gover- 
nor vetoed the act and there was an adjournment leaving the 
whole question of finance unsettled. All parties plunged into 
the controversy. The men who secured the passage of the 
law and their numerous sympathizers commented on the 
action and views of the Governor in no gentle terms. The 
supporters of the veto pleaded the financial embarrassment 
of the State, and the prior claims of its creditors, and those of 
the Departments of the Government for their expenses. A 
third party smaller in numbers, but louder in utterance, de- 
nounced the whole theory of public education as unwise and 
unjust. A special session of the Assembly was called, and the 
Governor in several messages, explained his view more fully, 
and endeavored to correct the impression that he was not 
friendly to free schools, adding that the existing schools were 
of little value, and that they could not be much improved 
until the Normal Schools should train a better class of teach- 
ers. The advocates of the bill that was vetoed argued that the 
constitution was mandatory, making it the duty of the Leg- 
islature to maintain an efficient system of free schools, and 
that the pressing necessities of the people in regard to the edu- 
cation of their children, the swelling tide of immigration of 
mixed races, the dangers of barbarism, and the immense un- 
developed natural resources of the State, rendered it doubly 
unwise and unjustifiable to evade the plain meaning of the 
constitution. 

The present school law is indeed defective, and most of 
the public schools, except those of a few cities, are of an in- 
ferior character. Of those who claim to be friendly to free 
schools, one party admitting the imperfections of the law, 
desired, nevertheless, to work under it as best they might till 
they could improve it; the opposite party objected to this 



De. Buftjs C. Burleson - . 395 

course as a waste of the public money, and insisted on waiting 
till a better system could be devised and put in operation. 

After a severe and protracted struggle the party lead by 
the Governor prevailed, and only one-sixth of the general rev- 
enue, instead of one-fourth, was appropriated to schools. 

The most hopeful step that was taken by the Legislature 
at its regular session, was that of establishing two Normal 
schools, one for each race. I visited the State last winter, and 
after many interviews with leading men, proposed to the Leg- 
islature, through the Governor, to make a donation of $6,000, 
to be continued during the pleasure of this Board, if the State 
would establish and maintain a first-class Normal school. The 
Governor advocated the measure in a special message, and a 
law to that effect was accordingly passed, making an annual 
appropriation of $14,000. The location of the school was 
fixed at Huntsville. There has been some objection made to 
the location, yet as an offer of its college building was made 
free of charge, it was accepted. But for this offer the bill 
might not have passed. Provision is made for paying all the 
expenses of seventy-four State pupils. The colored Normal 
school, established at the same time, is to be at Prairie View, 
with an annual appropriation of $6,000, and a given number 
of scholarships. 

In a message to the Legislature at its special session, the 
Governor expressed his views respecting Normal schools in the 
following manner : 

''The importance of these Normal schools as a necessary 
incident to an efficient system of public free schools in this 
State, can not, as I believe, be well over-estimated. They are 
simply indispensable in the effort gradually to attain that de- 
sirable object. No efficient system can ever be attained in 
Texas, whatever else may be done, without the aid of Normal 
schools. I regard it as the first step in the right direction, 
which, if persisted in, will, above all else, to the extent of its 
expenses, aid in the consummation of the final success of the 
undertaking to establish a system." 

The foregoing is the last report but one from the lamented 
Dr. Sears. In February, 1880, his report is brief and relates 
exclusively to the successful establishment of the Sam Hous- 
ton Normal Institute at Huntsville. 



396 The Life and Writings of 

Dr. Barnas Sears died at Saratoga, July 6, 1880, after a 
brief illness. He was a great and good man and was cut down 
in the midst of his usefulness. 

At the regular meeting of the Trustees in February, 
1881, Dr. J. L. M. Curry was unanimously chosen General 
Agent of the Peabody Fund, who ably and conscientiously con- 
tinued to work for his predecessor. Dr. Curry, who is a Bap- 
tist minister, was United States Embassador to Spain during 
Cleveland's first administration, and has few superiors as an 
author and scholar. 

Governor Roberts' veto of the Appropriation Bill" of- 
fered by the Sixteenth Legislature has been sufficiently ven- 
tilated as it regards the subject of free schools. "Fay as you 
go" became the popular motto of his administration. The 
usual plans were resorted to by ambitious politicians to arouso 
an opposition to his re-nomination in 1880, principally through 
garbled extracts from his veto message with reference to pub- 
lic free schools. Governor Roberts was easily nominated on 
the first ballot. His second term began January 11, 1881. 

Early in the Legislative session of 1881, the committee 
appointed by the State Teachers' Association, of which Dr. 
O. H. Cooper was chairman, presented an able memorial to 
the Governor for the establishment of the "University of 
Texas," which was transmitted by him to the Legislature with 
his message on education. "The act to establish the Univer- 
sity of Texas was passed by the Legislature as stated and ap- 
proved March 30, 1881. It provided for the manner of its 
location, and generally for its government and regulation, and 
that its institution might not be delayed, another act was 
passed and approved April 1, 1881, providing for the appoint- 
ment by the Governor, with the consent of the Senate, of a 
Board of Regents, to be chosen from the different parts of the 
State. "The attempt had been made in 1858, under Gover- 
nor Pease, to inaugurate this institution, but the war and its 
distressing accompaniments had postponed the great work 
nearly a quarter of a century." 

"Among the important economic changes adopted by the 
State in remedying the expensive school system instituted dur- 
ing the "period of reconstruction," was one recommended by 
Governor Roberts, classifying the teachers into several grades 



Dr. Rtjfus C. Burleson. 397 

so that great saving was effected in the salaries, instead of pay- 
ing the teachers all alike. The prices of sale of the public 
lands were reduced and various measures were taken for the 
more rapid disposition of them to produce greater funds for the 
support of the free schools and establishment of the University. 
What was known as the "fifty cent's act," reducing the price 
of the public lands to that figure, was suggested by Governor 
Roberts. 

The location of the Academic and Law Departments of 
the University was established at Austin and the Medical 
branch at Galveston by a vote of the people. Austin was also 
chosen, as the law required, for the branch for the education 
of the colored youth of the State. The Agricultural and Me- 
chanical College at Bryan had already been designated in the 
Constitution as a branch of the University. The Twenty- 
third Legislature of 1891 also made Prairie View College a 
branch of the University. 

The Academic and Law Departments having been pre- 
viously organized, the University was formally opened in the 
main building September 15, 1883. The University is con- 
ducted on the simple co-educational plan which admits stu- 
dents of both sexes on equal terms. A popular provision has 
been adopted for correlating the University with the public 
schools by admitting graduates of the school without special 
examination at the University when the applicants are from 
approved schools. This action had a tendency to better feel- 
ing between the friends of the free school and the University." 
(Lane.) 

a The inauguration of the Medical College at Galveston, 
as a branch of the University is the result of liberality on the 
part of citizens of Galveston, and of the city authorities in 
co-operation with the action of the State, whereby the Medical 
Department has not only been put into operation sooner than 
it otherwise would have been, but the University has secured 
an elegant property, known as the "John Sealy Hospital." 
The conditions proposed were accepted on the part of the State, 
and at the next meeting of the Legislature, in 1889, Galveston 
offered to donate twenty-five thousand dollars upon the further 
condition that the State would appropriate a like amount for 
the purposes of the institution, which proposition was accepted, 



398 The Life and Writings of 

and all that the terms required was consummated. The first 
animal session of the college began October 1, 1891. 

An act of the Legislature in 1876, entitled ''An Act to 
Establish an Agricultural and Mechanical College for Colored 
Youths," and twenty thousand dollars was appropriated for the 
purpose. It was located in Waller County, where a site with 
suitable agricultural lands was purchased. As the patronage 
it received did not warrant its being maintained as a school 
of industrial training, it was converted into a State Normal 
to meet the demand for trained colored teachers. Its indus- 
trial features have since been restored and the Legislature of 
1891 constituted Prairie View College a branch of the Univer^ 
sity. The College receives direct appropriations from the 
State and gets annually one-fourth of the Congressional pro- 
vision of $15,000 for the Agricultural Experiment Station in 
Texas. Students of both sexes are admitted to the school. 
As a Normal school it has been very successful. 

Summer Normals are a feature in the educational system 
of the State, and they render valuable assistance to teachers. 
They are located and the conductors of them are appointed by 
the State Superintendent of Instruction. 

Formally the State made appropriations for the support 
of Summer Normal schools for the benefit of teachers and 
others, but the appropriations were eventually discontinued, 
and they and teachers institutes are held in such cities and 
towns as provided for them. 

No statistics have been compiled from which to ascertain 
the total value of public and private school property in Texas, 
but it must amount in the aggregate to many millions of dol- 
lars. Baylor Universiy and many of the denominational col- 
leges own valuable buildings and other property, and possibly 
altogether the school property of the State represents an in- 
vestment of $20,000,000. Many city school buildings are 
expensive structures and are now found in almost every town 
of any size and importance in the State. 

In addition to the State educational institutions already 
cited, eleemosynary and charitable institutions, public and 
private, possess an educational feature, and are conducted most 
liberally and in the most perfect manner. 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 399 

In concluding the enumeration of the educational fea- 
tures of Texas the newspaper is a factor which can not be 
justly ignored. As disseminators of knowledge, as agents for 
moulding public opinion, arresting crime and the spread of 
intelligence their value could scarcely be overestimated. The 
prostitution of this medium of intelligence to subserve sordid 
and unworthy purposes, as has been done in some instances in 
the State, by those who conduct them, should forever entail 
on the offender the odium merited by the offense. The Press 
is a powerful projector for good or evil according to the dispo- 
sition of those who are in control. Texas owes much to her 
newspapers, and especially to those that were established early 
in its history, and struggled for life during the adverse condi- 
tions which encompassed her infancy and youth, because they 
did much to hasten the day of her deliverance from Mexican 
depotism. 

This reference to newspapers, and placing them in the 
category of educational enterprises, is made for the reason that 
Dr. Burleson was a sincere friend of the Press, and believed 
in its potency and power. The young men in Baylor were en- 
couraged to establish college journals, as a means of mental 
training. 

Having now concluded an enumeration of all the institu- 
tions of Texas possessing an educational feature, a brief recap- 
itulation will explain the plan we have had in contemplation 
throughout the story. 

We have viewed Texas as a wild wilderness inhabited by 
a rude and savage people. We have witnessed the desires and 
struggles of the early settlers to encourage education, both the 
founders of Baylor University, and the friends of public 
schools. We have seen how by means of law, under the fos- 
tering care of the government enterprises launched resulting 
in failure ; and then noticed the more successful efforts of the 
colonists to foster schools amid the dangers of frontier life. We 
ha^e observed school enterprises under five governments and 
collected the record of their demands for the education of 
their children. 

In some instances the liberality of the people was carried 
to an extreme, and in both public and private enterprises 
amounted to prodigality. Texas has donated nearly all its 



400 The Life and Writings of 

splendid public domain, to the value of untold millions to the 
education of its children. Nowhere more than in Texas has 
the world witnessed such devotion to knowledge and educa- 
tion. 

In all the campaigns made in Texas from 1848 to 1901 
for better educational facilities, Dr. Burleson has been a con- 
spicuous figure. He was among the first to take the field in ad- 
vocacy of a system of common schools. 

By reference to his first report as Lecturer for the Pea- 
body Fund it may be ascertained that he was the first to recom- 
mend the holding of teachers institutes by the teachers of Gal- 
veston and they have continued since to grow in favor. With 
the members of the profession. 

He was among the first to insist on the enforcement of 
that clause in the State constitution providing for the Univer- 
sity of Texas. 

He was the first teacher in Texas to suggest the estab- 
lishment of a Normal Institute in which to train teachers. 

It is to Dr. Burleson's credit, that the present free school 
system of the State, the system of holding teachers institutes, 
the Sam Houston Normal Institute at Huntsville, and the 
State University at Austin, are all largely the result of his 
earnest work and love for education in its broadest sense. All 
of this service he performed while President of Baylor Uni- 
versity, and that he did so without neglecting his official duties, 
shows his wonderful capacity for work. 

One other statement, and letter will show the breadth of 
Dr. Burleson's interest in the cause of education. He was 
President of a denominational school, but felt the keenest in- 
terest in the schools of all other churches, and rendered them 
aid and encouragement, rather than treating them as competi- 
tors and rivals, as the following communication will show : 

Add-Ban Christian University, 

Hermoson, Texas, Nov. 24th, 1900. 
Dr. R. C. Burleson, Waco, Texas: 

Honored Sir : — I am told that Add-Ban has heretofore 
had the pleasure and honor of your presence on all public 
occasions of special interest. I take this means of assuring you 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 



401 



of our hearty appreciation of your interest in our welfare, and 
in behalf of Add-Ran Christian University. I cordially invite 
you to be with us on Thanksgiving day. Our program con- 
sists of a Thanksgiving service, dinner, and dedication of our 
new building at 3 : 30 p. m. 

Most respectfully and cordially yours, 

E. C. SNOW, 

Chairman Faculty. 




26 



402 The Life and Writings of 



CHAPTER XLVII. 



Resolution of the East Texas Convention October 12th, 
1867 — Organization of the Baptist General Asso- 
ciation of Texas July 17th, 1868 — Gen. James E. 
Harrison, of Waco, Elected President — R. C. Burle- 
son, Corresponding Secretary — Gen. Joseph W. 
Speight, Chairman of Committee to Remodel Consti- 
tution — Dr. Burleson Moves to Send Fraternal 
Delegates to State Convention — Dr. Burleson 
Elected Corresponding Secretary for the Eourth 
Time. 



Q JST the 12th of October, 1867, the Baptist Convention 
mniiJ of East Texas, assembled in a special session in 
BffliTiJ Tyler, at which time a resolution was introduced, 
debated and adopted, changing the name of that body to the 
Baptist General Association of Texas. The matter had been 
previously canvassed among the churches, associations and 
individuals composing the East Texas Convention, and the 
question predetermined. The adoption of the resolution was 
merely pro forma. 

The East Texas Convention had confined its operations 
entirely to the Eastern portion of the State, and the reason for 
making, this change im the designation of the convention, was 
to give the body a name of more general significance, that it 
might with unquestioned propriety, enlarge the scope of its 
activities. 

The State convention was, and had been from the date 
of its formation in 1848, extending fostering care over Baylor 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 403 

University at Independence, and the real reason for changing 
the name of the East Texas Convention, and extending the 
area of its jurisdiction, was that it might include the territory 
of Waco Association, which would give the new body the 
undisputed right to foster Waco University, and assume all 
the authority over it, that the genius of Baptist Ecclesiasticism 
would allow. The data and facts to hand does not justify this 
statement, but speaking from behind the scenes for a moment, 
it can be safely asserted, that Dr. R. C. Burleson was largely 
instrumental in inducing the East Texas Convention to prac- 
tically dissolve, and surrender the situation to the new organi- 
zation. 

The Baptist General Association of Texas, held its first 
annual session at Chatfield, Navarro county, July 17, 1868. 
General James E. Harrison, of Waco, was elected President; 
W. B. Featherstone, W. C. Buck and R. C. Burleson, Vice- 
Presidents; Prof. J. T. Hand, Recording Secretary, and Gen- 
eral Joseph W. Speight, Treasurer. Very few religious bodies 
have ever been launched with a more distinguished corps of 
officials. 

Dr. Burleson expressed a preference for the position of 
Corresponding Secretary, a position he filled as we have seen 
in the State Convention. He therefore tendered his resigna- 
tion as Vice-President, W. G. Caperton was chosen to fill the 
vacancy, and Dr. Burleson unanimously elected to the posi- 
tion for which he had expressed some preference. He was 
made chairman of a committee, with General Joseph W. 
Speight, W. B. Featherstone, W. C. Buck and W. L. Foster 
as associates, to revise and remodel the constitution so as to 
make it provide more fully, for the enlarged territory, in- 
creased demands, greater operations and new interests and 
enterprises of the body. 

This committee prepared and presented a constitution, 
using the constitution of the erstwhile East Texas Conven- 
tion, as a basis, which was a substantial reproduction of the 
constitution of the old State Convention. It stated: "This 
body shall be called, The Baptist General Association of 
Texas. 7 ' 



404 The Life and Writings of 

"The objects of this association shall be Missionary and 
Educational, the promotion of harmony of feeling, concert of 
action among Baptists, and a system of operative measures 
for the promotion of the Redeemer's Kingdom." 

"This Association shall be composed of messengers chosen 
annually by Baptist churches, not exceeding two from any one 
church, and by associations, not exceeding four from any one 
association, and one additional messenger from every church 
that shall contribute $10 annually, and one additional mess- 
enger for every $20 contributed annually by any association, 
and such members of Baptist churches as shall contribute 
annually the sum of $5." 

The constitution goes on to re-affirm the principle of 
church sovereignty, so tenaciously clung to by the Baptists 
of the world, from the time Paul declared it to be "the ground 
and pillar of the Truth." 

Section 1, Article III., of the constitution says: "This 
association shall never possess a single attribute of power or 
authority over any church, or association of churches; but it. 
disclaims absolutely any right of this kind, or any other 
ecclesiastical authority, hereby avowing that every church is 
sovereign and independent." 

The constitution offered by the committee having been 
adopted, the association was now in the field for Divine and 
denominational favor. To assure the friends and constituency 
of the convention, that the spirit of the association was not 
antagonistic, but fraternal, the following resolution was 
adopted : 

"Resolved, That the following messengers be appointed 
to the Baptist State Convention : J. Beall, W. A. Dunklin, 
M. B. Hardin, R. C. Buckner, J. B. Link, and that they be 
instructed to assure our dear brethren of our highest Christian 
regard, and our desire to be co-laborers with them, in the gre?t 
work of promoting our .Redeemer's Kingdom in Texas. 
"Respectfully submitted, 

"R. C. BURLESOK" 

The extent and condition of the territory to be covered 
by the General Association, and the leading objects to which 
its energies and resources would be devoted, are stated in a 



Dr. Rijfus C. Burleson. 405 

most interesting way by Rev. R. C. Buckner, in a report on 
Home Missions ; and Rev. M. B. Hardin in a report on Educa- 
tion. 

To say that the General Association prospered beyond 
the expectations of those who projected it, would not prehaps 
be a correct statement, because great things were planned and 
great results were expected. But that its growth was rapid 
cannot be doubted. At the first session there were eighteen 
churches represented. At the second session held in Tyler, 
July 23, 1869, thirty-eight churches and eleven district asso- 
ciations sent delegates to the meeting. 

Rev. Thomas F. Lockett, chairman of the committee on 
Education, made this reference to Waco University in his 
report : 

"'Waco University, a regular chartered Institution, under 
the Presidency of Dr. Rufus C. Burleson, has been in success- 
ful operation for about nine years, sending forth its graduates 
to take their places among the great Baptist family of Texas. 
This Institution is now putting forth efforts, through its 
Financial Agent, to place itself with the very best Institutions 
of our land. We cordially recommend it to the sympathies 
and support of our churches and brethren." 

Corresponding Secretary Burleson, presented and re- 
viewed the work of the year, and made suggestions for future 
operations. 

Dr. Burleson was re-elected Corresponding Secretary at 
this session and also at the sessions held in Paris July 22, 1870, 
and Fairfield in 1871. Here, Waco University, and the 
cause of higher education in Texas, received a large share of 
attention from the association. 

Dr. Burleson was re-elected Corresponding Secretary at 
the annual session of the Association held at Rowlets Creek, 
July 26, 1872. In his report for this year, he deplores the 
fact that the operations of the body had not been so successful, 
or actively prosecuted as they deserved to be, notwithstanding 
which, the churches already established, and the cause in gen- 
eral, was flourishing. 

"Your Corresponding Secretary has received important 
communications from the Home Mission Board, at Marion, 



406 The Life and Writings of 

Alabama, and from the Foreign Mission Board, at Richmond, 
Virginia. Texas Baptists have received over $30,000 from 
the Southern Baptist Convention in their early struggles, and 
we should now show our gratitude, by fully co-operating with 
her Boards, in their glorious work. We would call especial 
attention to Missions in Borne, which is worthy of our sup- 
port." 

He then proceeds in a gladsome, joyous strain to sum up 
the situation : 

"Dear Brethren: — Our Savior has blessed us with 
ample means, to respond to all these calls." 

"Never have our fields yielded such abundant increase; 
never have our churches been blessed with greater revivals; 
never have our District Associations been more successful in 
their Mission work; never have our Institutions of learning 
been so prosperous." 

Concluding, he remarks with that confidence born of a 
broad purpose, and a willingness to work: 

"All that is now wanting is, for the General Association 
to do her duty, and the desert shall blossom as the rose." 




Dr. Bufus C. Burleson. 40' 



CHAPTER XLVII'I 



Growth of the General Association — Dr. Burleson 
Elected President at Jefferson July 25th, .1873 — 
Be-elected at Dallas, 1874; Sherman, 1875; Waco, 
1876; Paris, 1877; Fort Worth, 1878; Pittsburg, 
1879 — Served the Association as Corresponding 
Secretary and President Eleven Consecutive Years 
— Movement to Establish Organic Connection Be- 
tween General Association and Waco University — 
The Pott's Besolution — Movement Consumated at 
Sulphur Springs in 1882 — A Sketch of the Con- 
solidation Movement Besulting in the Union of all 
the General Baptist Conventions in the State. 



MULTITUDE of great Baptist preachers, and dis- 
tinguished laymen contributed of their wisdom and 
work, to the phenomenal growth and strength of the 
Baptist General Association of Texas, during its brief but 
vigorous existence of seventeen years. The reports of the 
various committees on the various departments of work are 
literary productions of a high order of excellence, and are 
worthy of being placed in more enduring form and being pre- 
served forever. It would be delightful to perform this task 
now, and give just and merited recognition to the noble hosts, 
who made this short but glorious chapter in the history of 
Texas Baptists. 

" Oh! your merit speaks loud; and 'tis wrong 
To lock it in the wards of covert bosom; 
When it deserves, with characters of brass, 
A forted residence 'gainst the tooth of time, 
And razure of oblivion." 



408 The Life and Writings of 

This, however, would be entirely beyond the scope of this 
work, and only such men and measures are noticed, as touch 
him, the story of whose life we are telling. 

Dr. Burleson was elected President of the General Asso- 
ciation at the annual session held in Jefferson, July 25, 1873, 
and re-elected for seven consecutive years; namely: At 
Dallas, July 24, 1874; Sherman, July 23, 1875; Waco, July 
20, 1876; Paris, July 20, 1877; Port Worth, July 26, 1878; 
and Pittsburg, July 25, 1879. After this session, while he 
continued to attend the annual meetings, he was not an officer 
of the body. His official connection with the association 
embraced a period of eleven consecutive years. It is a fact 
deserving mention, that his official connection with the General 
Association was almost an exact reproduction of his official 
capacity with the old State Convention, the only difference 
being, he served the Association three years longer. He was 
Corresponding Secretary and President of the Convention, 
from its organization in 1848 to 1856; and Corresponding 
Secretary and President of the Association from its organiza- 
tion in 1868 to 1879. 

Up to this session of the Association, there had been much 
private discussion indulged in by the members as to the desira • 
bility of organic connection between the Association and Waco 
University, but the question had never come before the body 
until now. 

A committee on Schools and Colleges was appointed, 
consisting of J. L. Whittle, L. W. Coleman, L. H. Tilman, D. 
I. Smith, W. H. Parks, E. P. Brown, G. W. Good, and J. K. 
Johnson. In its report, which is an eloquent document, the 
committee declared that after the Ministry, and pious family 
training, nothing transcended in vital religious culture the 
Christian College or School, used this language : 

"These premises considered, your committee would earn- 
estly recommend that, as an auxiliary to the mission work in 
our bounds, schools and colleges controlled by pious Baptists, 
wherever located, should be heartily approved and encouraged. 
But we especially recommend that this Association should join 
hands, hearts and purses, in the establishment, upon a firm, 
immovable basis, within our bounds, one first-class university, 



Dr. Kufus C. Burlesox. 409 

for the culture of all our boys aud girls, second to no other 
university from Maine to Mexico, and from the Gulf coast to 
British America, to the end that Texas parents will not be en- 
ticed out of our State, seeking a place for the education of her 
children, but that we may have, as we can, if we will, a grand 
educational center, around which we can rally our forces, led 
by Christian men and women to wage a successful aggressive 
and gloriously triumphant warfare against Ingersollism, free- 
lovism and all other God-dishonoring isms that infest and eat 
upon our common country. 

Brethren, we have, in this struggle for educational su- 
premacy in Texas, much to encourage us. We have our Sher- 
man school, presided over by our noble and worthy Brother 
Nash, and others of equal merit ;~but we have a school at 
Waco, known as Waco University, which has stood the pelting 
storms of adversity and the cyclones of opposition for years, 
which, instead of superinducing a failure in its work, has 
caused its roots to deepen and its top to grow taller and wider 
until it has gained the sympathy and admiration of a host of 
friends, and put to silence its most determined and merciless 
enemies. Here we have a nucleus around and upon which we 
may lay our educational sacrifices with the full assurance that 
we shall reap lasting benefits both for time and eternity for our 
children and our children's children, and for generations 
along the ages to come. Waco University conies to us em- 
balmed in the tears and prayers and toils and hopes of our 
fathers in Israel, some of whom have passed over to God to 
rest from their labors, others nearing the shores and will soon 
step off the old tempest-tossed ship into the serene haven of 
rest; and if there is such a thing as communicating scenes of 
earth in. heaven, let those who have gone before have the joy 
of hearing that we who are left behind, still to toil in labors 
of love, appreciate the foundation of an educational institu- 
tion laid by them in the Waco University. This University, 
along with Georgetown, Mercer, Howard, Kichmond, Brown, 
etc., can truthfully boast of children, young in years, but old 
and rich in wisdom, piety and toils for the cause of Christ's 
religion and general progress among men, for their promo- 
tion, usefulness and happiness on earth and their everlasting 
joy in heaven. 



410 The Life and Writings of 

We recommend that our Baptist brethren and sisters in 
all our bounds resolve themselves into one grand committee 
on schools and colleges, and that if they hear of any one, and 
especially of Baptists, who design sending their sons or 
daughters to college, that they urge the claims of Waco Uni- 
versity as our school, emphatically a Baptist school, belonging 
to the great Baptist family of Texas, with Brother Burleson 
and others to do our bidding in its faithful and efficient man- 
agement, whose faithfulness deserves to be held in sacred 
memory." 

This report was read by J. L. Whittle, and discussed by 
W. J. Brown, B. C. Burleson, B. H. Carroll, J. K. Bumpass, 
W. H. Park, and resulted in the adoption of the appended 
resolution : 

Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed by this 
body to confer with the Board of Trustees of Waco University 
and with Waco Association with reference to organic connec- 
tion of this General Association with Waco University as her 
denominational school provided such transfer of property as 
shall be satisfactory to all parties can be secured and report 
to this body at its next annual meeting. 

, Provided further, this General Association assumes no 
pecuniary obligation. 

At a meeting of the Association held in Waco, July 22, 
1881, the question, "Shall there be organic connection be- 
tween this body and Waco University?" received a double 
affirmative reply. 

The committee on Schools and Colleges, of which W. A. 
Jarrel, S. B. Maxey, K. C. Burleson, W. H. Parks, W. G. 
Calloway, G. D. Pulton and T. H. Compere were members, 
after emphasizing the value of Christian schools, reported in 
part as follows : 

"We are rejoiced to hear of the success of the Baptist 
schools in the bounds of our General Association. Among 
the many we feel that we must call especial attention to Waco 
University so long and widely known. Waco has four brick 
buildings completed, and matriculated last year about 300 
students. Waco University was never so justly the pride of 
her friends and worthy of their confidence and patronage as 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 411 

now. We trust, therefore, that the organic connection of the 
University with the General Association as recommended at 
the last session of that body, will be taken under prayerful 
consideration." 

The committee on the organic connection between the 
Association and University, appointed at Ennis, through L. 
IT. Tilman and W. K. Posey, after reciting the history of the 
Institution, expressed themselves in these terms : 

"At the organization of this General Association, the 
lamented D. B. Morrill and others urged that an organic 
connection be formed with Waco University. This was op- 
posed by the President and officers of Waco University, solely 
on the ground that it might injure the General Association as 
a missionary organization; but after twelve years' experience, 
we find the enemies of Waco University just as bitter against 
the General Association as though organic connection did 
exist, and as they have ceased their connection with our body, 
it is believed that organic connection should be formed." 

At Sulphur Springs in 1882, the transfer of the property 
of Waco University was accepted by the Association, and a 
Commission appointed to raise an endowment of $60,000, the 
citizens of Waco to add $20,000 to a building fund of $20,000 
already on hand. 

The school at Waco, it may be said, had all along been the 
protege of the Association practically, but it now became 
so legally and technically, and this body was in the arena with 
all the appendages, accessaries, missionary and educational en- 
terprises, as a rival and competitor with the State convention, 
the Association covering North Texas, and the convention the 
southern portion of the State. There were other bodies in the 
State, to be sure, but their operations were feeble, and their 
territory incognizable. At Cleburne on July 20, 1883, Dr. 
B. H. Carroll presented the report to the Association on "The 
Relation to other Bodies." He stated the subject to be one 
of great delicacy and difficulty. There were the North, East, 
Central an South Texas Conventions, having in a measure 
vague and undefmable boundaries. "Associations," he said, 
"have been divided in counsel, some rent asunder; churches 
have been torn by factions, brethren alienated and strife en- 



412 The Life and Writings of 

gendered." It was decided in view of these facts to appoint a 
committee of five, whose business it was made, to convey 
fraternal greetings to all the bodies, to confer with them on 
the subject of unification, under three heads. 1st. Is it de- 
sirable and expedient. 2d. Is it practicable. 3d. If so, 
under what form? 

Unification was comparatively a new word in Baptist 
literature up to this time, but now it became the slogan of a 
mighty campaign, and was on all tongues. It became the 
subject of newspaper articles, the text of sermons, the theme 
of debate, and the subject of general conversation. 

At the meeting of the association in Paris, July 24th, 
1885, Kev. T. S. Potts introduced the following resolution, 
which was unanimously passed : 

"Resolved, That it is the sense of this association that, 
under existing circumstances, the interest of our denomina- 
tion in Texas would be best subserved by the existence of one 
General Body, and that this Association is willing to co-operate 
with other general bodies for the accomplishment of this end 
on terms honorable and equal to all." 

L. L. Foster, H. M. Furman and S. L. Morris were 
authorized to convey this resolution to the State Convention 
in Lampasas. 

This resolution was presented October 3d, 1885, and 
responded to by the passage of the subjoined preamble and 
resolutions, introduced by Gr. W. Smith : 

"Whereas, a desire has been widely expressed for the 
consolidation of our missionary bodies in the State; therefore, 
be it 

"Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to con- 
fer with any like committee that may have been or may be 
hereafter appointed by other bodies, and report some suitable 
expression to this body on this subject." 

This committee was appointed, and consisted of Gr. W. 
Smith, J. B. Link, A. S. Broadas, Abram Weaver and R. T. 
Hanks, who reported as follows: 

a The Baptist State Convention, having considered the 
importance of consolidating our general bodies, and believing 
that the interest of our educational and missionary work, as 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 413 

well as the peace, harmony and prosperity of our denomina- 
tion in the entire State, will be promoted thereby, we 
announce our readiness to meet like committees from the 
General Association and East Texas Convention, for the pur- 
pose of securing organic unity on terms of equity and fairness 
to all parties; and we hereby authorize our committee to meet 
with committees named from other bodies for like purposes, 
and to enter upon terms of consolidation; and if these terms 
are endorsed by these bodies, or either of them, the same to be 
reported back for our ratification." 

A joint meeting of the committees from the State Con- 
vention and General Association met in Temple, December 
9th, 1885, and adopted the following basis of union: 

First — That the Baptist General Association of Texas be 
consolidated with the Baptist State Convention of Texas. 

Second — That the name of the consolidated body be The 
Baptist General Convention of Texas. 

Third — That the basis of representation in the first meet- 
ing of the consolidated body shall be the same as heretofore. 
Those coming from the State Convention territory enter the 
consolidated body on the same terms they formerly entered the 
State Convention, and those from the General Association 
have membership upon the same terms upon which they for- 
merly entered that body. 

Fourth — That the mission work be continued until the 
first meeting as heretofore, under the direction of the two Gen- 
eral Bodies, respectively, and be reported to that meeting. 

Fifth — That the first meeting of the consolidated body 
be held at Waco, beginning Tuesday after the first Sunday in 
July, 1886." 

Unification had now swept the State like flames of fire 
across a dry mow, and every Baptist State organization in 
Texas fell into the mighty folds of consolidation and unifica- 
tion, and thus forever disappeared from view. We shall not 
give the details of the adoption of the onward movement by 
other bodies, but dispose of it in a few sweeping sentences. 

The East Texas Convention was organized at Overton 
December 12th, 1877, worked with some success for eight 
years, and merged itself into the General Convention at Cen- 
ter in July, 1885. 



414 



The Life and Writings of 



The North Texas Convention was formed at Piano, July 
3d, 1879, and at a meeting held at Bells, August 3d, 1883, 
resolved to unite with the Baptist State Convention, and thus 
dropped into consolidation indirectly. 

The Central Texas Convention was organized at Dublin, 
November 12th, 1880. The fifth session was held at Hico, in 
August, 1885, at which time a resolution was passed to enter 
the consolidation movement, and the organization dissolved. 

The -^ve missionary and educational conventions in the 
State thus, and in this way, became one, but this was not the 
last to be heard of unification. It touched some other inter- 
est over which Dr. Burleson presided, which will be duly 
noticed when that period is reached. 



'?**• m 




THE R. C. AND R. A. BURLESON HOME, WACO. 

(This is "The Old Home Place" of Dr. Burleson located on Tenth and Baylor 
Streets. The present house is the work of Mr. R. A. Burleson, who entirely remod- 
eled and greatly improved the -place in July and August, 1900. The house is a sub- 
stantial brick and frame structure containing ten rooms. It is located on a plot of 
land containing four lots and when entirely completed will be among the best homes 
in the city. Here Dr. Burleson lived until his death in 1901.) 



Dr. Bufus C. Burleson. 415 



CHAPTER XLIX. 



First Session of the Consolidated Convention in "Waco, 
June 26th, 1886 — Dr. Burleson Member of the Board 
of Directors — Constitution x>f the Convention — Dr. 
Burleson Continued on the Board of Directors at 
Dallas in 1887, and IVLade Chairman of Committee on 
Colored Population — Bishop College — Vice-Presi- 
dent in 1889 and 1890 — Elected President in 1892 
at Belton and Be-elected at Gainesville in 1893. 



O DsTCE the State Convention was one of the largest 
^i , components of the consolidated or composite body, 
Kill Dr. Burleson, it may be said, had returned to his 
first love, or, rather, his first love had returned to him. He 
had been separated from the convention since 1861, twenty- 
four years, and while devoting himself to accomplish substan- 
tially the same great purpose, still his co-laborers from 1848 to 
1861 were in another portion of the State, building on founda- 
tions he had helped in laying and developing plans he had 
helped to formulate. Now, however, after a separation of a 
quarter of a century, they were supposed to be reunited, but 
when he came to survey the personnel of the new body scores 
of the familiar forms and faces and noble spirits with whom 
he had affiliated in past years were gone, Huckins, Haynes. 
Baylor, Holmes, Shannon, Creathe, Houston, Jackson and 
others, numbering hundreds, had crossed to the other shore. 

Dr. Burleson loved the past, felt an undying attachment 
for those who had worked with him on the outposts in the 
early days in Texas; he was also proud of recurring to past 
events and recounting bygone achievements; but this in no 



416 The Life and "Writings of 

way affected his interest in the present or future, as is the 
case with some persons. He missed these old men, and sor- 
rowed because they were not present to join their shouts with 
his, while the Baptists of Texas were unfolding plans for 
grander triumphs; but this was neither discouraging or demor- 
alizing in its effects on his disposition. The command was 
forward, upward and higher, and he obeyed without hesita- 
tion or reluctance, but with caution, and moved well toward 
the front of the advancing column. 

The first session of the Baptist General Convention of 
Texas, the consolidated body, was held in Waco, June the 
26th, 1886. 

Dr. A. T. Spalding has the honer of being the first Presi- 
dent, and Judge O. H. P. Garrett and Dr. S. J. Anderson, 
Secretaries. Dr. Reddin Andrews, Dr. Frank Kiefer and 
Rev. Tully Choice were Vice-Presidents. Dr. A. J. Holt 
was elected Corresponding Secretary and Superintendent oi: 
Missions. The first Board of Directors of the Convention was 
composed of Dr. R. C. Burleson, B. H. Carroll, Warwick H. 
Jenkins, J. B. Link, F. L. Carroll, J. S. Allen, A. W. Dunn, 
C. Faulkner, S. B. Humphries, J. T. Battle, G. W. Pickett, 
F. M. Law, M. V. Smith, J. H. Stribling, E. E. Clemmons, J. 
T. Harris, W. E. Tynes, R. T. Hanks, W. L. Williams, R. J. 
Sledge, George Yarborough, J. A. Hackett, G. W. Smith, 
William W^edemeyer, W. H. Dodson, S. L. Mullins, J. M. C. 
Breaker, A. E. Baten, B. W. JSL Simms and F. S. Potts. 

The members of the Board were selected from the terri- 
tory of all the bodies composing the convention, whose juris- 
diction and authority was now co-extensive with the State. 
The officers of the body were made ex-ofjicio members of the 
Board of Directors. The magnitude of the convention may 
be gathered from the statement that there were two hundred 
and fifty churches and twenty-two associations represented in 
the meeting. Some partiality is expressed, for indicating the 
growth of Texas Baptists by comparison. By this method it 
is quickly grasped and without effort. An association, it will 
be borne in mind, is often composed of fifty or more churches. 
At this first meeting of the consolidated body there were 
twenty-two associations represented, which is exactly the num- 
ber of churches represented in the organization of the State 



De. Kufus C. Bueleson. 417 

Convention in 1848, thirty-eight years before, and wants only 
six of being twice the number of churches represented in the 
organization of the General Association in 1868, seventeen 
years before. Another and a more general and, therefore, 
more interesting comparison indicative of this increase may 
be made. There were twenty-two churches in the organiza- 
tion of the State Convention in 1848, fourteen in the General 
Association in 1868, nineteen in the East Texas Convention 
in 1877, seventeen in the Central Texas Convention in 1880, 
and about thirteen in the M"orth Texas Convention in 1879, a 
total of eighty-five, taking part in the organization of these 
five bodies. Two hundred and fifty, or within a fraction of 
three times this number, were represented in the organization 
of the General Convention in "Waco in 1886, not to mention 
the twenty-two associations. 

The constitution of the convention was prepared and 
presented for adoption by B. H. Carroll, E. M. Law, R. T. 
Hanks, W. H. Dodson and E. Z. F. Golden. 

Aeticle I. 

Section 1. The name of this body shall be the Baptist 
General Convention of Texas. 

Section 2. The object of this convention shall be mis- 
sionary and educational, the promotion of harmony of feel- 
ing and concert of action among Baptists, and a system of 
operative measures for the promotion of the interest of the 
Redeemer's kingdom; but no individual enterprise shall be 
formally entertained or acted on by this body. 

Aeticle II. 

Section 1. This body shall be composed of messengers 
from regular Baptist Churches, and associations of Baptist 
Churches, and Baptist missionary societies, co-operating with 
the convention. 

Section 2. Each church shall be entitled to two messen- 
gers, and one additional messenger to each $25.00 contrib- 
uted to the funds of the convention, and in no case shall any 
one church be entitled to more than eight messengers. 

27 




418 The Life and Writings of 

Section 3. Each association shall be allowed two mes- 
sengers, and one additional for each $100.00 expended in 
missionary work, done within its own bounds, and one addi- 
tional for every $100.00 contributed to the funds of this con- 
vention. 

Section 4. Every Baptist missionary society shall be 
allowed one messenger for every $25.00 contributed to the 
funds of this body, and in no case shall any society be entitled 
to more than four messengers. 

Article HI. 

Donations and Powers. 

Section 1. All donations to the objects of this conven- 
tion shall be strictly applied according to the expressed will 
and direction of the donors. 

i Section 2. The convention does not have and shall never 
attempt to exercise a single attribute of power or authority 
over any church, but it cheerfully recognizes the absolute 
sovereignty of the churches. 

Article IV. 

Officers and Their Duties. 

The constitution proceeds to give a list of the officers of 
the convention and defines their duties. The officers are a 
President, three Vice-Presidents, Corresponding Secretary, 
two Recording Secretaries, and a Treasurer. The duties 
imposed on these officers are such as is indicated by their 
titles. 

Article V. 

Section 1. The convention shall appoint five Boards, as 
follows : 

(1) The Board of Directors of the Baptist General Con- 
vention, to consist of thirty members, three of whom shall 
be nominated by the President and approved by the conven- 
tion, and seven of the Board shall constitute a quorum. 

(2) A Board of Trustees of Baylor University, to con- 
sist of not more than thirteen. 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 410 

(3) A Board of Trustees of Baylor Female College. 

(4) A Board of Trustees of the Baptist General Con- 
vention, to consist of five members, who shall hold in trust all 
properties and invested funds. 

(5) A Ministers' Belief Board of the Baptist General 
Convention, consisting of thirteen members, 1iyq of whom 
shall be a quorum. 

Article VI. 

The Board of Directors shall have power to appoint an 
Assistant Superintendent of Missions, to aid the Correspond- 
ing Secretary. ♦ 

Article VII. 

The convention shall meet annually at such time and 
place as the convention may appoint, and the Board of Direc- 
tors shall have power to call a meeting of the convention. 

Article VIII. 

This constitution shall not be changed or amended, unless 
the change or amendment be offered on the first day of the 
annual session, and lie over to some subsequent day, and then 
only by a two-thirds majority. 

In Dallas, in 1887, Dr. Burleson was continued on the 
Board of Directors, and also made chairman of the committee, 
and presented a very interesting report on the Colored Popu- 
lation, from which one paragraph is taken : 

"There are at least 70,000 colored Baptists in Texas. 
They have a Baptist State Convention, a Sunday-School Con- 
vention, and about thirty associations. They have also a col- 
lege at Marshall, sustained by the donations of Hon. and Mrs. 
Nathan Bishop of New York and other Northern Baptists. 
Bishop College is doing a noble work in educating the colored 
preachers, teachers and youths of Texas." 

It may be stated in this connection that Dr. Burleson 
was instrumental in founding the college mentioned in his 
report. In 1872, while in New York, he presented the neces- 
sity for an institution of learning for the colored people of 
Texas to Hon. Nathan Bishop, who donated $10,000 toward 



420 The Life and "Writings oe 

establishing the school at Marshall, which the Trustees chris- 
tened "Bishop College" in his honor. Mr. Bishop afterward 
increased the amount to $25,000, which insured the success 
of the institution. The American Home Mission Society is 
now extending some aid to the school, which is prosperous in 
all departments. 

In 1889, at Houston, Dr. Burleson was left off the Board 
of Directors, and made one of the Vice-Presidents, and con- 
tinued at the head of the Committee on Colored Population, 
in whose welfare he always evinced great interest. In the 
report submitted at this session of the convention he take^ 
high ground in favor of Christianizing these people. "To the 
statesmen," he says, "the race problem, or the destiny of the 
colored people, increases daily in importance. But to the 
Christian the salvation of these people involves a responsi- 
bility of transcendant importance. We rejoice that the glo- 
rious work of evangelizing and educating our colored people 
is advancing rapidly." 

The report closes with a statement of the success of Rev. 
A. P. Griggs, Superintendent of Colored Missions, and the 
prosperous condition of Bishop College at Marshall, Guada- 
lupe College at Seguin, and Hearne Academy at Hearne. 

Dr. Burleson was re-elected to the Yice-Presidency of 
the convention at "Waxahachie, October 10th, 1890, and also 
at Waco, October 9th, 1891. At the last-named place, the 
convention being entertained by his home church, he was 
selected to deliver the address of welcome. 

Pirst place in the official rank of the convention was in 
store for him when the seventh annual session of the conven- 
tion was called to order in Belton, October 7th, 1892. He 
was placed before the convention for the Presidency by A. M. 
Johnson in the following model nominating speech, every sen- 
timent of which was re-echoed by the large delegation 
present : 

Brother President: I wish to put in nomination for 
President of the Baptist General Convention of Texas a 
brother who has been in the State a long time, and who, from 
his arrival to this good hour, has been permanently and 
actively connected with the Baptists of Texas. He has never 



Dr. Eutus C. Burleson. 421 

sought any position which he has filled. He does not now 
seek the honor which I hope this convention will confer npon 
him for his great worth and services. He is not a place-hunter 
nor a time-server. He is a brother, who, by hard work, great 
sacrifice and unwavering trust in God, coupled with loyalty to 
truth and righteous devotion to the highest interest of the 
people, has made a glorious record, which challenges compari- 
son with the brightest and best lives of the ages. His fame 
reaches almost the remotest bounds of civilization, and it 
towers upward to the eternal throne, where it is touched by 
the hand of him who confers eternal honor. He has moulded 
more exalted character and developed more sparkling and 
strong talent for church and State in Texas than any other 
man who has lived and worked by the soft, sweet light of the 
Lone Star. His life and spirit are mighty inspirations to his 
age. He has glorified every interest which has been com- 
mitted to his charge. One of his great sermons is touching 
many of the homes of the civilized nations of the earth and 
molding them into the likeness and beauty of the glorious 
home above. His counsel has always been the embodi- 
ment of love and wisdom. His name is a household word in 
every home in Texas. His coming is everywhere hailed with 
joy. He lives in the hearts of more people than any man on 
this continent. This convention owes him this honor as a 
recompense of reward for a long and eventful life of willing 
and efficient service to the Baptists of this State. He is 
nearing the portals of glory, and ere long he will be beyond 
the re*ach of human preferment. Let us honor him while we 
may, and thus give expression to our hearty appreciation of 
our greatest leader, whose labors of love have made us all 
better than we would have been without him. I refer, sir, 
to the venerable and renowned Kufus C. Burleson, President 
of Baylor University." 

Immediately on the close of this speech seconds to the 
motion came from every part of the house, and he was elected 
President of the Convention without dissent or negative vote. 

At Gainesville, October the 6th, 1893, the convention 
honored Dr. Burleson the second time by placing him in the 
Presidency. Conducting the office of a deliberative body 



422 



The Life and Whitings of 



practically prevents participation in the proceedings, and 
hence Dr. Burleson, except as the presiding officer, disappears 
from the record. 

In 1895, at Belton, Dr. Burleson was placed on the Com- 
mittee on Sabbath Observance. 

Touching this subject, it is remarked that from the 5th 
day of January, 1848, Dr. Burleson has been connected with 
almost every Baptist enterprise projected in Texas. 

From this time on Dr. Burleson's connection with the 
convention was unimportant, except as it related to matters of 
education, which will be given in that relation. 




Dr. Kitfus C. Burleson. 423 



CHAPTER L. 



Dr. Burleson and His School Work at Waco — Trinity 
High School, S. G-. O'Brien, First President — Waco 
Classical School, J. C. West, President — Dr. Bur- 
leson Elected President and Name Changed to Waco 
University — Gen. Speight's Letter — Dr. Burleson 
Visits Waco April 15, 1861 — Accepts the Presidency 
— Civil War of 1861 Again — Professors and Stu- 
dents Enlist in the Confederate Army — Dr. Burle- 
son Chaplain of the Fifteenth Regiment — Session of 
1865 — Co-Education — Resolution of Trustees. 



\tf E NOW take up Dr. Burleson's connection with Waco 
— —- University and its successors, with which this work 
^^ 1 will be closed. Not because we have included every 
act of his busy life — this would fill several volumes — but for 
the reason that the main features of our plan have been exe- 
cuted. We shall not give so much detail as was given in 
regard to Baylor University at Independence, for the reason, 
as has been elsewhere intimated, education in Texas at that 
time was in the chrysalis state, and therefore, not only more 
interesting, but also more important by deduction, and in the 
plain lessons it teaches. George Washington's administra- 
tion as President of the United States is much more import- 
ant than Theodore Roosevelt's. Why? Because Washing- 
ton dealt with original principles, and established precedents. 
James Monroe was a much more important and interesting 
character in American politics in announcing the doctrine 
which bears his great name, than Theodore Roosevelt, in ex- 



424 The Life and Writings oe 

plaining what the Monroe Doctrine is, and declaring before 
a listening world that he will enforce the principle. 

We will not be understood as minimizing Dr. Burleson's 
work for higher education in Waco; far from it, no man has 
accomplished a greater. 

In 1855, Trinity River Association resolved to establish 
an associations! male and female school. In 1856 the male 
department of the school was located in Waco, Rev. S. G. 
O'Brien being President, and was called Trinity River High 
School. The Female Department was located in Hillsboro 
but never opened. This school was kept up until February 
2nd, 1860, when it became a chartered institution and known 
as Waco Classical School. The school was conducted for 
several years in the edifice of the Baptist Church at Waco. 
In 1858 seven acres of land eligibly located was purchased, 
and steps taken for the erection of suitable buildings. 

On the 21st of January, 1861, John C. West tendered 
his resignation as principal of Waco Classical School, at which 
time the Board of Trustees authorized its President, Gen. 
Joseph Speight to open correspondence with Rufus C. Burle- 
son and the Faculty of Baylor University at Independence, to 
learn upon what terms they could be induced to take charge 
of the Institution. In executing this commission from the 
Board, General Speight addressed Dr. Burleson the following 
letter : 

Waco, Texas, Feb. 4th, 1861. 
Prof. R. C. Burleson: 

Dear Sir: I am instructed by the Board of Trustees 
of Waco Classical School to inform you, that you have been 
by them unanimously elected President of the Faculty of said 
Institution. Your associates selected are Professors R. B. 
Burleson, Vice-President; O. H. Leland, Dr. D. R. Wallace, 
and G. W. Willrich. The decease of Prof. Willrich creates 
a necessity for making another selection to fill the vacancy 
thereby created. Any choice which may be made by the 
remaining members of the Faculty, will be approved by our 
Board, and such choice be formally elected, provided it be 
desired. I am very respectfully, 

J. W. SPEIGHT, 
President of the Board of Trustees. 



De. Ruftts C. Btjelesox. 425 

There is an apparent discrepancy between the record and 
General Speight's letter to Dr. Bnrleson. The record states 
that the President of the Board be instructed to open corre- 
spondence with the Faculty of Baylor University to learn 
upon what terms they could be induced to take charge of 
Waco Classical School. General Speight states in his letter 
of notification that "they had been elected." This dis- 
crepancy is reconciled on the ground that the discussion had 
by the Board on the resolution authorizing the President to 
open negotiations with Dr. Burleson brought out the fact 
that he would be elected if lie .indicated his willingness to 
accept. So General Speight took this for granted, and sub- 
mitted the matter to Dr. Burleson in a way that would justify 
him in acting. 

This notice was communicated to the members of the 
Faculty at Independence, and after due consideration ac- 
cepted, provided terms, which General Speight did not state 
in his letter, could be agreed on. Dr. Burleson was instructed 
by the Faculty to reply to the letter and learn something of 
the condition and terms upon which they had been elected. 
At a subsequent meeting of the Faculty it was determined to 
send Dr. Burleson to Waco to confer in person with the Trus- 
tees for the purpose of acquiring this information. 

Dr. Burleson therefore visited Waco April 15th, 1861, 
met the Trustees, stated to them the conditions of his accept- 
ance, and his policy for the government of the Institution. 
In addition to his conference with the members of the Board 
he met the people in a public gathering, and in an address 
gave the essentials of success in an effort to build up a great 
University, and accepted the position to which he had been 
elected. 

Quite a good deal of enthusiasm characterized the pro- 
ceedings of the meeting, and money was raised to complete the 
brick building that had been in process of erection since 1857; 
and the money also raised to supply the school with a library 
and apparatus. Immediate steps were taken also to raise 
$20,000 endowment Rev. W. H. Bayless was appointed to 
solicit contributions to this fund. 



426 The Life and Writings oe 

On the 28th of August, 1861, the Board decided to 
apply to the State Legislature for an amendment to the char- 
ter of the school; this amendment was granted and Waco 
Classical School was rechristened Waco University, and 
started on its career of usefulness. 

General Beauregard had battered down and captured 
Fort Sumpter April 13th, so when the first session of Waco 
University opened the first Monday in September, 1861, the 
country was in all the horrors of civil war. All plans for the 
advancement of the school for the time were held in abey- 
ance. The Trustees held a meeting, and resolved to release 
all the professors and students who desired to enter the ser- 
vice of -the Confederacy, and to hold the school together in the 
best possible way until the cessation of hostilities. Several of 
the professors and a large number of students enlisted in var- 
ious Confederate commands. On the 27th of May, 1861, 
just before the close of his last term at Independence, Dr. 
Burleson received the following petition: 

"Esteemed Sir : In consideration of the disturbed con- 
dition of the country, and the excitement consequent there- 
upon among both young and old, and the inability of all 
classes, especially the young, to pursue quietly and success- 
fully the ordinary affairs of life, we the undersigned students 
do most respectfully request that you dismiss us from college 
duties. We feel emboldened to make this request from the 
fact that the Faculties of Georgetown and Union Colleges 
under similar circumstances, though of not so pressing a 
nature, have found it necessary to pursue a similar course; 
and believing our request is reasonable, and your action in 
granting it would result beneficially to us, we earnestly request 
a favorable consideration of our petition." 

This petition which was signed by 51 young men whose 
names have been preserved, was granted, and now at the head 
of another school, in a different portion of the state he was 
called on to perform a similar duty in response to the patri- 
otic request of young Texans who wanted to stand in the 
ranks to maintain the constitutional rights of their country. 
The attendance was thus greatly reduced, and the work greatly 
interf erred with; but the Trustees continued to meet, and 



Dr. Buftts C. Burleson. 427 

Dr. Burleson struggled to overcome the untoward circum- 
stances, and accumulating difficulties. Whether upon his 
own application, or whether the authorities acted on their 
own motion the data at hand does not show, but in any case 
he received the following notification: 

Confederate States of America, 
"War Department, 
Richmond, Va., Jan. 10th, 1863. 
Rev. R. C. Burleson: 

Sir: You are hereby informed that the President has 
appointed you Chaplain of the Fifteenth Texas Begiment, in 
the Provisional Army in the service of the Confederate 
States, to rank as such from April 18th, 1862. Should the 
Senate at their next session advise and consent thereto, you 
will be commissioned accordingly. Immediately on receipt 
hereof, please communicate to this Department, yoar accept- 
ance or non-acceptance of the appointment through the office 
of Adjutant and Inspector General; and with your letter of 
acceptance, return to the Adjutant and Inspector General the 
oath, herewith enclosed, properly filled up, subscribed and 
attested, reporting at the same time your age, residence, when 
appointed and the state in which you were born. Should you 
accept, you will report for duty to Col. Joseph W. Speight, 
commanding the Fifteenth Begiment. 

JAMES A. SEDPEB, 

Secretary of War. 

The order to report for duty had been anticipated and 
the commission found him in the field with his command. 
The Trustees protested against this action on Dr. Burleson's 
part, arguing that he would render his country greater service 
by instructing the few boys who. remained in school. They 
passed a resolution memorializing Col. Speight to accept his 
resignation basing their reasons on the same ground, so after 
serving in the army for nearly one year, he tendered his res- 
ignation and returned to Waco. The Board made a similar 
request of Prof. O. H. Leland who had enlisted in the 
Thirteenth Texas Cavalry October 18th, 1862, and was then 



428 The Life and "Writings of 

Adjutant. Dr. Burleson joined the Board in requesting Prof. 
Leland to return to the University. Upon these importunities 
he handed in his resignation August 28th, 1864. During 
these years the armies of the North and South were in almost 
daily, deadly conflict, and there was nothing in the air, or 
minds of the people save war and military matters. Almost 
every man capable of bearing arms was at the front and those 
under and over age were busy at home organizing Reserve 
Corps. All the schools were converted into military train- 
ing schools for the time being. 

In an old copy of the Houston Telegraph the following 
publication has been found : 

"By a recent order from General Kirby Smith, comman- 
der of the Trans-Mississippi Department, boys from 17 to 18 
years of age are permitted to organize into companies and 
remain in school. A company is now forming a.t Waco Uni- 
versity, and will be in command of Captain J. T. Daniel, late 
of the Confederate States Army. Boys wishing to avail 
themselves of a year's instruction by an experienced Faculty 
will report at once. R. C. Burleson, President; B. B. Burle- 
son, Professor of Natural Science; J. T. Strother, Professor 
of Mathematics; W. H. Bong, Professor of Ancient and Mod- 
ern Languages; Capt. J. T. Daniel, Assistant Professor and 
Instructor in Military Tactics. 

RUFUS C. BURLESON. 
Waco, Texas, March 15th, 1865. 

This company was formed and was being drilled and 
disciplined and would have furnished some gallant recruits 
to the Southern forces, but just twenty-five days afterward, 
April 9th, General R. E. Lee handed his sword to General 
Grant at Appomattox, and the cause was lost that the Southern 
soldiers had surprised and staggered humanity, in a sanguin- 
ary struggle to sustain. 

The first meeting of the Trustees held after the return 
of peace was on July 19th, 1865. The President made a ver- 
bal statement to the effect that the University had made some 
progress notwithstanding the disastrous consequences of war. 
The college buildings were in bad condition from long and 



Dr. Kuftts C. Burleson. 429 

unavoidable neglect, and no money on hand with which to 
make needed repairs. The vacancies on the Board occasioned 
by deaths were filled, and both Trustees and Faculty resolved 
to raise the Institution from the ashes and ruin of war. 

It was during this meeting of the Board that Dr. Burle- 
son suggested a most radical departure from former plans. 
When he took charge of Baylor University at Independence 
in 1851, he was hostile to co-education and a practical, though 
not a technical separation of male and female students was 
insisted on. Boys, he thought," would never make scholars 
if required to pursue their studies in the same class with girls. 
Fourteen years had elapsed during which time he had devoted 
himself to a study of the subject, which had produced a com- 
plete revulsion in his former position. 

The question was presented to the Board, at a. meeting 
held July 19th, 1865, and after a careful, thoughtful discus- 
sion of the subject, the following preamble and resolutions 
were adopted: 

"Whereas, It was the original design and intention of 
the friends of Waco University to provide for the youth of 
both sexes; and 

"Whereas, In the opinion of the Board the time has 
arrived to begin a Female Department, now therefore be it 

"Resolved, By the Board of Trustees of Waco Univer- 
sity, that we believe the enterprise practicable only as com- 
bined with the Male Department, and as such we do resolve 
further to organize a Female Department combined with the 
Male, both to be presided over by the same President and 
taught by the same teachers." 

The attendance during the fall term of 1865, and the 
spring term of 1866, in spite of the demoralizing effects of the 
war, and the impoverished condition of the people, was very 
gratifying. The total matriculations for the last named ses- 
sion was 129; of this number 95 were males and 34 females. 
Co-Education therefore, while it may have made shipwreck 
of some people's opinions, evidently had not been very hurt- 
ful to Waco University. At a meeting of the Trustees held 
on the 15th of June, 1866, Dr. Burleson urged the Board to 



430 The Life and Writings of 

take action at once to provide more commodious buildings 
for the growing school. They therefore : 

"Resolved, That we deem it necessary to raise the sum 
of $15,000 for the purpose of erecting additional buildings, 
and other purposes, and that the Executive Committee, to- 
gether with President Burleson are hereby instructed to adopt 
measures to raise the amount above specified." Rev. C. T. 
Teas, and Thos. F. Lockett were appointed to canvass the State 
for subscriptions to the proposed building fund, R. B. Burle- 
son agent for McLennan County, and Dr. R. C. Burleson to 
solicit in any territory he may visit. The money was raised 
by these agents with some liberal donations, and valuable as- 
sistance from the Trustees, and two well-constructed and 
neatly finished brick buildings 36x60 feet, two stories high 
were erected. These buildings were placed sixty feet apart, 
and according to the original plan were designed, to form 
wings of a splendid three story center building 60x115 feet. 
This plan was never, however, entirely executed. 

Dr. Burleson always used adjectives very freely, and was 
not proverbial for excessive modesty when discussing his plans, 
and the value and importance of the work under his direction, 
but now he speaks modestly and expresses some regret for 
some things that had been done. 

"We adopted," he says, "with reluctance the title of Uni- 
versity. We would have preferred for years to come, the 
name of Waco Academy. And we wish it distinctly under- 
stood that we use the term University, not in the general, but 
in the Texan acceptation; that is an Academy, or High 
School, which its friends hope will become a University." 
Having recovered from his spell of modesty, he speaks on. 
This time he stands up. "We challenge comparison with any 
school in Texas, still we have what Thomas Jefferson called 
a University in ovo. However we assure the people of Texas 
that the Institution is_ conducted by a Faculty of long ex- 
perience and ardent devotion to the cause of education in 
Texas." 

Dr. Burleson then gives utterance to some wise words 
which should be heard and heeded in Texas through all the 
unnumbered ages to come. "We wish to remind the people 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 431 

of Texas of the fact, that the only way to make the state great 
intellectually, morally, and politically, is to build up our own 
Institutions. 7 ' 

"We wish also to remind them of the well-known fact, 
that colleges like states, usually produce their greatest intel- 
lects while young, and struggling for a name and place." 
"We wish also to remind the people that a young man edu- 
cated in his own state enters life with peculiar opportunities 
for success and happiness; for wherever he goes, he carries 
with him the support and affection of the scores of college- 
mates with whom he attended school." 

For some years Dr. Burleson had been filling the pastor- 
ate of the First Baptist Church at Waco in connection with 
his work in the school room. These duties had so increased 
that proper attention to them required his undivided mind and 
attention. In 1868 he tendered his resignation as pastor of 
the church on this account. 

January 25th of that year the Church, at a conference 
meeting passed a long preamble, and some very complimentary 
resolutions to their pastor on his retirement. One only of 
these resolutions will be sufficient as serving to show past and 
present relations existing between the pastor and members of 
the church : 

"Resolved, Third. That this church will ever feel under 
lasting obligations to our late devoted Pastor for his faithful 
services and unremitting labors, and will ever cherish his 
name living, and revere his memory dead. We will show ou* 
appreciation of his efforts for our spiritual welfare and ad- 
vancement, by trying to emulate his virtues and to imitate his 
zeal in the Master's cause." 

This action of the church was communicated to Dr. Bur- 
leson in the following letter : 

Waco, Texas, January 25, 1868. 
Elder R. C. Burleson: 

My Dear Brother : — It affords me sincere pleasure to 
forward you the accompanying copy of preamble and resolu- 
tions adopted by the Baptist church at Waco at our last stated 
conference meeting. In the sentiments therein expressed 
there is not a dissenting voice. They are the sincere, heartfelt 



432 



The Life and Writings of 



utterances of your brethren, and are but an inadequate tributs 
to your exalted Christian excellence and superior intellectual 
endowments. Long may you live, my dear brother, to enjoy 
the love and confidence of your brethren, and to do efficient 
service in the Master's cause. 

Affectionately yours, 

J. W. SPEIGHT, 

Church Clerk. 




Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 



CHAPTER LI 



Years that Follow the War, a Crisis in the History of 
all Enterprises — People Eestless — Changing Con- 
ditions — Dr. Burleson Quick to G-rasp the Situation 
— Knew What to Do, and Did It — Girded on His 
Armor, Took the Field and Preached, Lectured and 
Wrote — Confidence in the Security of Waco In- 
spired — Elected President of Sheveport University 
— Degree of D. D. Conferred by Howard College — - 
Dr. Burleson Keeps Track of Old Students — Refer- 
ence to the Manner in Which He Marked Cata- 
logues — ■ Every Page in His Working Testament 
Marked — Address to the Baptists of Texas. 



*T* HE depressed and languishing condition of the country 
during the years immediately succeeding the war 
between the states, was a supreme crisis in the history 
of every interest in Texas. During that bloody period services 
in hundreds of churches were suspended and never resumed. 
The doors to innumerable school houses were closed and never 
reopened. Plans for thousands of religious, educational and in- 
dustrial enterprises were formulated that never materialized. 
Church edifices and school buildings decayed and finally fell 
into ruin. ~N"ot only this, but a new era dawned on the country. 
The changed conditions as a result of the war, caused a wide 
spread and general remodeling of plans, and this was done with 
a view of present and future requirements, and to fulfill post 
and not ante-bellum promises and plans. Again, while as 
stated the people were bleeding at heart, and the country 

28 



434 The Life and Writings of 

languishing, they did not lose courage and lapse into a con- 
dition of despair and inactivity, but realized that they could 
only rise from the surrounding desolation by the most heroic 
effort. So, therefore powerful enterprises were projected the 
partial success and promise of some of which changed the 
civilization of the country. The former centers of popula- 
tion in many instances were abandoned, and others formed. 
This in turn produced what at the time was conceded to be a 
necessity for changing the location of many time honored in- 
stitutions. A spirit of restlessness and discontent with ex- 
isting conditions was apparent everywhere, and among all 
classes. "We do not claim to know the number exactly, but 
believe the statement to be conservative, that since 1865 
twenty colleges have been abandoned altogether in Texas, 
and the location of not much less than that number changed. 

Dr. Burleson was quick to diagnose the situation, and 
knew that Waco University could only be prevented from 
going down in the "wreck of matter and crush of worlds" by 
exercising ceaseless vigilance and great determination. 

He therefore girded on his armor and took the field. He 
visited the people, distributed thousands of circulars, contri- 
buted hundreds of articles to the Press, and attended hun- 
dreds of associational meetings. He preached, lectured and 
delivered addresses wherever and whenever occasion offered, 
and made as many opportunities as possible. In these public 
addresses he was wise enough to contend that Waco was 
centrally situated, was in line of several of the proposed rail- 
roads, the people enterprising and for these reasons it was 
secure in location and one of the coming cities of Texas. Hav- 
ing succeeded in impressing the masses of the people that 
Waco would stand the shock, survive the ordeal and live, the 
proposition that the location of the University would remain 
at that place was easier to maintain. Confidence was thus 
inspired, some contributions were received, and the patron- 
age increased. The buildings were repaired and added to, 
and the teaching force strengthened. 

There were some fortunate events that occurred about 
this time that aided Dr. Burleson in the campaign for Waco 
University. He had been elected President of Union Uni- 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 435 

versity in 1859 as we have seen, to succeed Dr. Eaton, and 
urged by Dr. J. K. Graves to accept which was a high en- 
dorsement of his qualifications. July 9, 1867, the degree of 
Doctor of Divinity was conferred on him by the Trustees of 
Howard College at Marion, Alabama, of which Dr. J. L. M. 
Curry was President. The following year, June, 1869, he 
was elected President of Shreveport University at Shreveport, 
Louisiana, and pastor of the Baptist church at that place. 
These honors and compliments, _ and the unqualified endorse- 
ments of sulch renowned scholars as Doctors Graves and 
Curry, were convincing in their effects upon the minds of 
the people that he possessed the ability to accomplish all he 
had undertaken, and were reassuring in the highest degree. 

As a result of Dr. Burleson's efforts, the co-operation of 
the Board of Trustees, and the contributary circumstances 
mentioned, Waco University in 1870, five years after the 
close of the war had a first-class Faculty of eight Professors 
and Instructors, and matriculated 105 female, and 140 male 
students, a total of 245. 

Dr. Burleson now felt sure that the effect of his cam- 
paign for the school had removed any doubts or misgivings 
the people may have entertained as to its permanency, loca- 
tion and success, but as if to clinch the nail he had driven he 
remarks : 

"~No institution in Texas rests upon a surer foundation 
than Waco University. Over 1,000 young men in Texas have 
received instructions from the President and Faculty during 
their connection with Baylor and Waco Universities. Many 
of these students have already become Judges, Lawyers, Gen- 
erals, Physicians, Professors and Clergymen; and in every 
part of the state there is an earnest desire for the success of 
the Institution. Its present condition is in every way gratify- 
ing to its friends, and promises a glorious future. Some im- 
portant additions will be made to the Faculty at the opening 
of the next session, especially in the departments of music, 
modern languages and fine arts.' 7 

"The President of the Faculty wishes to return his de- 
vout thanks to the people of Texas, who have so liberally pat- 
ronized and sustained him and his associates during the past 



436 The Life akd Writings of 

twenty years. He wishes especially to return his acknowl- 
edgments to his old patrons and students who have manifested 
so much interest in an Institution around which cluster all 
his future hopes of usefulness and success. He invites the 
co-operation of all who wish to see Texas become as illustrious 
in learning as she is in arms. He now enters upon the twenty- 
first year of his labors as President, and with increased ex- 
perience and ever accumulating zeal in the glorious mission 
of Christian education, to which he has solemnly consecrated 
his life;" 

No college President ever lived who valued the friend- 
ship and co-operation of his old students more highly than Dr. 
Burleson; and no college President ever lived who kept in 
closer touch with his old students. He kept informed as to 
where they were, what they were doing, and how they were 
succeeding in life. It is a remarkable statement, and will 
perhaps tax the credulity of the reader, but it is nevertheless 
true, that he knew the financial and moral standing of nearly 
every student who ever attended his school, and knew also 
where they resided. He made it a business to keep himself 
thus informed. If he lost sight of a former student he would 
institute a search until he was located. He has in many in- 
stances written a dozen letters to learn the present where- 
abouts of some obscure man he had educated. When an old 
student met reverses he was the first man to offer condolence 
and sympathy; when he achieved some brilliant success, he 
was first to offer congratulations. 

The catalogues of Baylor and Waco Universities have 
been examined from the first issued at Independence in 1852, 
to the last issued in Waco in 1897. The list of students he 
studied very carefully, and noted every change made. If one 
died, "dead," was written opposite the name. If one changed 
his place of residence; the former place was erased, and the 
new one given. If they married he knew it, and in nearly 
1,000 cases was called on to perform the ceremony. Page 
after page of nearly every catalogue issued during the entire 
forty-five years is marked from top to bottom with notes of 
such information as would enable him to keep in sight of those 
who had attended his school. 



Dr. Ktjfus C. Burleson. 437 

For this reason the personal relations formed between 
himself and students in the University were never broken. 
These pupils felt a personal love for Dr. Burleson, and some- 
thing of a personal interest in his work. This therefore be- 
came in time a most potent and powerful factor in his success. 

Dr. Burleson not only used the catalogues of his school 
in this way, but he made marginal notes in nearly every book 
he read. If names, dates or places were wrong he made cor- 
rections. These marginal notes were frequently expressions 
as to the impression made on his mind as to the statement or 
principle discussed. This was especially true of the New 
Testament used in his daily scriptural readings, which noth- 
ing interfered with whether at home or abroad. This old 
well worn book has been turned leaf by leaf, and every page 
in it, without one exception is marked; words underscored; 
and on the margin, expressions interpreted, and comments 
made. This was considered a fact of so much interest, that a 
page was lithographed from his working testament, selected at 
random, and will be found on page 67 of this book. 

In 1865 it will be remembered Dr. Burleson made a 
great innovation on established educational systems by in- 
augurating co-education. The success of this departure is well 
known. Seven years after that time he uses the following 
language : 

"We adopted co-education seven years ago after mature 
deliberation. The male and female students now recite in the 
same classes, meet daily in the same chapel, but occupy sepa- 
rate play grounds, buildings for study, and separate boarding 
houses. The plan not only stimulates both sexes to greater 
study, but it cultivates in young men morality and true manli- 
ness, and in young ladies neatness, order and morality." 

"Frequent intercourse and rivalry in study, by removing 
the enchantment of distance and novelty, destroyes in a great 
degree that foolish sentimentality and clandestine correspon- 
dence so common in boarding schools. After witnessing 
these good results in Waco University during the past seven 
years, we are not surprised to see the Universities of Oxford, 
Cambridge, London, Edinburg, Harvard, Colby and Michi- 
gan, adopting the co-education of the sexes, and are convinced 



438 The Life and Writings of 

in a few years the example will be followed by all the leading 
institutions in the Protestant world." 

Dr. Burleson who had been representing the Board of 
Trustees for some time, at a meeting held July 10, 1873, 
reported that the following amounts for the various purposes 
of the University had been raised : 

For Presidential Endowment $10,633 . 50 

Por young ladies boarding hall 8,527 .74 

Library "and apparatus . 2,129 . 00 

He was continued in the same capacity at this meeting 
and authorized to employ any number of assistants he saw 
proper. His duties as financial agent were still further en- 
larged by being authorized to solicit donations for the purpose 
of erecting a boarding hall for ministerial students. At a 
meeting held on July 15, he was requested to issue an appeal 
to the people of Texas setting forth the condition of the school, 
and its pressing necessities. In compliance with this request 
the following circular was issued : 

To the Baptists of Texas : 

Dear Brethren: — At the last annual meeting of the 
Trustees, I was requested to address you a circular setting forth 
the condition and wants of Waco University. 

By the blessing of God, Waco University is in a very 
prosperous condition. The institution was never so worthy of 
the patronage of the people, nor so justly the pride of her 
friends and founders. 

During the past year 295 students were matriculated — 
the largest number ever matriculated by any Baptist institu- 
tion west of the Mississippi river. Of this number seven are 
licensed preachers, and four others are studying with a view 
to the ministry. Nine students graduated with honor to them- 
selves and credit to the University. The Faculty embraces 
eleven Professors and Teachers, and is adapted to meet every 
demand of an education — practical,' classical and ornamental. 
Our departments of Music, Drawing and Painting are now, 
for the first time satisfactory, and unequaled in Texas. 

The new and commodious boarding hall erected for young 
ladies, the new Library donated by New York and Boston 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 439 

merchants, apparatus, the Microscopes, and Telescope, pro- 
cured through our friends in Louisville, Kentucky, are all in 
valuable use. 

During the last eighteen mouths, $23,000 have been 
added in pledges, notes, lands, building material and cash to 
the library, apparatus, building, and endowment funds ; so that 
Waco University now has $53,000 in pledges, notes, lands, 
library, buildings and endowments. As soon as we can raise, 
by private donations $22,000 the City of Waco will add a 
bonus of $25,000, to increase the sum to $100,000. With 
$100,000, and such a Faculty as we can command, Waco 
University will be an ornament to Texas and a bulwark to 
liberty and progress, and to our venerable church. With such 
a foundation laid we can proceed, as our Slate increases in 
population and wealth, to add whatever may be necessary for 
a great Texas Baptist University, with literary, law, medical 
and theological departments, all complete. 

All the surroundings are full of glorious promises. The 
city of Waco is within fifteen miles of the geographical center 
of Texas, and is very accessible, and is unsurpassed by any 
city in Texas of equal size for wealth, good society, intelli- 
gence and public enterprise. 

The Trustees representing every part of Texas, are men 
of high social position, and have made their mark on every 
great enterprise in the State. The Faculty is composed of 
instructors — each eminent and enthusiastic in his department; 
and for ability and devotion to learning was never surpassed 
in a new institution. The President and Vice-President are 
well known in Texas. They have instructed over 2,000 young 
men and young ladies in Texas, and by twenty-three years of 
success, amid fiery ordeals, they have gained the esteem and 
confidence of all unprejudiced minds. And while disaffected 
and envious men may carp and fmd fault, the great mass of 
the people boldly say nothing succeeds like success, and twen- 
ty-three years probation, where thousands have failed, is a 
safe guaranty for the future. We matriculated 295 students 
last year, and we have assurances that we will have 400 stu- 
dents next session, thirty-two of whom will be young men 
preparing fully to preach Jesus. 



440 The Life and "Writings of 

Such, clear brethren, is the condition of Waco University; 
such is the result of our toils, for twenty-two years to lay the 
foundation of a great Baptist University in Texas. And have 
we not abundant reasons "to thank God and take courage?' 7 
We can truly say : "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." 

Our buildings were crowded last session, and cannot 
possibly accommodate over 300, and we must provide for 400 
students — thirty-two of whom are called of God to preach. 
We must have $10,000 cash by Christmas, or suffer serious 
embarrassment. We must have $12,000 more as early as 
possible, added to the endowment fund so as to secure the 
bonus of $25,000 from the city of Waco. We want to erect 
at once a boarding hall for our young preachers similar to 
"Paulding Hall/ 7 Georgetown, Kentucky. With such a hall 
our young brethren can board themselves comfortably for 
about $6.00 per month. 

Dear Brethren, are these wants not enough to fire the 
heart and stir the purse nerves of every Baptist in Texas? 
Do you want a great Baptist University in Texas? We pre- 
sent an institution worth $53,000; we present the fullest and 
ablest Faculty in the south; we present the claims of 400 stu- 
dents, thirty-two of whom are studying for the ministry. 
Every brick, plank, shingle and book in Waco University, is 
by charter secured to the Baptists, as long as the flowers bloom 
on our prairies, or the waves of the Gulf dash on our shores. 
We want every Baptist in Texas to have a few brick in our 
Paulding Half; $10.00 will place 1,000 brick in the build- 
ing. Paulding Hall was named for the noble brother who gave 
$10,000 for its erection. Our hall will bear the name of the 
largest donor. We entreat each Baptist, male and female, who 
reads this appeal to ask, "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do," 
and if you feel the honor of Texas, the church of Jesus Christ 
will be advanced by founding a great Baptist University in 
the center of the State. Give us your aid at once. I would 
suggest that each church or neighborhood, if no agent shall 
visit you soon, raise whatever sum you can and send it to us by 
postoffice money order, or draft on Galveston, Houston or 
Dallas. B. H. Carroll, H. K. Puryear, W. G. Caperton, 
Josiah Leak, T. H. Compere, will travel as much as possible 
and urge these claims. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 441 

In conclusion, brethren , will yon turn a deaf ear, and 
close your purses to our Grying wants? Will you allow all 
that has been done to suffer ? "Will you, as Dr. Buckner says, 
grasp at a shadow and lose the substance? Will you starve 
out and scatter one of the ablest Faculties west of the Missis- 
sippi river? Will you desert those who have grown gray in 
your service, and who have spent twenty-two years of earnest 
thought and prayer and toil in the cause of education in Texas ? 
We believe better things of you. We believe our 400 students, 
thirty-two young preachers, our able experienced and devoted 
Faculty, and above all the cause of education in Texas will 
receive an early and liberal response. 

BITFUS C. BURLESON. 

Waco University was now going on from victory to vic- 
tory ; not without some friction at times between the President 
and Board. But all were obviously inclined to do right, and 
misunderstandings were not difficult to adjust. 

On the 26th of July, 1876, the board adopted the plans 
of the present group of magnificent buildings to be erected 
on a larger campus acquired by the Board. Dr. Burleson, 
and some half dozen appointees continued to press the canvass 
for funds, and to keep the Institution before the people as a 
candidate for public favor, patronage and benefactions. 




442 The Life and Writings of 



CHAPTER LII 



Reconstruction of the Educational Affairs of Texas 
Baptists — Question of Removing- the Schools from 
Independence — Educational Union — ■ Centennial 
Commission — Navasota Resolutions — Dr. Burleson 
Attends American Baptist Educational Commission 
in 1874 — Receives the Degree of LL.D. from Keachi 
College — Unification — Hayden Preamble and Reso- 
lutions at Ennis — Issue Joined, Line Drawn, and 
Every Baptist Steps on One Side or the Other — 
Baptist State Convention at Lampasas — Resolu- 
tions on Removal — Committee Appointed — Dr. Bur- 
leson's Position — Joint Meeting of Committees from 
Convention and Association at Temple — Plan of Con- 
solidation Adopted — Consolidated University Goes 
to Waco, Female College to Belton. 



*T^ HE revolution which, started in the educational affairs 
- p? g' of the Baptists of Texas just after the civil war, was 
j ^^fl at first scarcely perceptible. The men who originated 
it had not been in the State many years, and were anxious for 
front seats. They were scholars and men of a high order of 
ability and proved themselves to be first class diplomats. But 
so were the men who had been here from the first. If front 
positions were changed, there must be moral and educational 
reconstruction just as there had been political. The Baptist 
mind was soon reached, and new plans had a large following. 
The removal of Baylor University from Independence was 



Dr. Eufus C. Burleson. 443 

the first step in the moral reconstruction measures proposed. 
After a private canvass for more than a year, a resolution was 
introduced in the Baptist State Convention at Galveston 
October 2, 1869, proposing to remove Baylor University from 
Independence to a more favorable location. The resolution 
was defeated. The debate on it was very warm, and the lead- 
ers of those who favored its passage, characterized the remarks 
of those who opposed its passage as being very bitter. A 
bitter argument is one that defeats your proposition. It was 
thought that the action of the convention at Galveston would 
settle the question, but not so; the agitation was carried on 
with more earnestness, but was given a different tinge. In 
1868 the American Baptist Educational Commission was 
formed in the North and East, which under the influence of 
Dr. Sewell S. Cutting the Secretary, an eminent scholar, 
professor and editor, was merged into the Centennial Com- 
mission in 1874. Dr. Burleson attended the meeting held in 
that year in the interest of Texas, and consented to represent 
the movement in the State. Dr. Burleson's attendance on 
that meeting was very fortunate. When he returned, he was 
of the opinion that if the Commission proposed to do any 
great things for education in Texas, Waco would be a good 
place to start, especially since Waco University offered a good 
foundation upon which to build an educational structure of 
any desired proportions. 

The national movement was discussed in Texas, and a 
meeting called at Bremond, June 23, 1875, to devise some 
plan upon which the movement could be utilized in the State. 

This meeting was held. The discussion took a wide range. 
Several plans were proposed. Nothing was said about the 
school at Waco. Dr. Burleson was there, and while he took 
an active part in the discussion, he had his ear to the ground, 
and Waco in his mind. An agreement was reached to which 
he affixed his name, but in that document Waco University 
was not compromised. The next meeting was to be held in 
Sherman, but the plan dragged, and the meeting failed for 
want of a quorum. The commission held frequent meetings 
after that time, and succeeded in raising quite a respectable 
sum of monev under the financial direction of Dr. F. M. Law. 



444 The Life and Writings of 

In all of its career, the Commission advocated the removal of 
Baylor University from Independence, and discussed a higher 
Institution of learning for the Baptists, but it finally disap- 
peared. 

On the 25th of April, 1876, the educational affairs of 
Texas Baptists took, or rather attempted to take an unex- 
pected turn. A remarkable meeting was held at that time in 
Navasota. Little or nothing was heard of the plan here 
adopted until it was announced. The meeting was called to 
order in a private house at 7 o'clock p. m. and continued in 
session through the greater portion of the night. Drs. R. C. 
Burleson, B. H. Carroll and R. C. Buckner represented Waco 
University. Dr. Wm. Carey Crane, Reddin Andrews and J. 
S. Terrell, Baylor University; J. B. Link and F. M. Law for 
the Baptist Educational Union. 

The purpose of this meeting as stated by Dr. Burleson, 
was to formulate a plan of united action to be presented for 
adoption at a meeting called by the American Baptist Cen- 
tennial Commission at Bremond, Texas, April 25, 1876. This 
meeting was not only remarkable in its manner of coming 
together, but more remarkable in the unexpected conclusions 
reached. By some of those present it was said to be one of the 
most earnest assemblages ever held in the State. After a con- 
tinuous session of ten hours, during which the educational 
affairs, enterprises and institutions of the denomination were 
exhaustively discussed, from the meeting at Plum Creek in 
1840 until that time, the following basis was unanimously 
concurred in and signed: 

"We, the undersigned, in order to harmony, express it 
as our sense and agree : 

First — That we have but one University for the State 
of Texas, to be established under the following agreement : 

Second — That a session of the Boards of Trustees of Bay- 
lor and Waco Universities, and the Educational Union be 
called to meet in Bremond on the 23rd of June, 1876. 

Third — That Baylor and Waco Universities be known as 
Baylor University, with its Theological Department and High 
School at Independence, and with its Literary and other De- 
partments at Waco, and under control of their respective 
Boards. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 445 

Fourth — That a Central Committee be appointed to 
raise an endowment of $300,000, or such sum as shall be 
agreed upon, but not less than $200,000 to establish the Uni- 
versity which shall be agreed on for the entire State, and lo- 
cated by the donors, eligibility and bonus guiding the loca- 
tion, on the basis of one vote each $100 contributed; provided 
that no individual have more than ten votes. 

Fifth — That the Educational Union turn over its assets 
to the Central Centennial Committee and dissolve its organ- 
ization. 

Sixth — That the first $25,000 raised shall be regarded a^ 
belonging to the endowment of the Theological Department of 
Baylor University at Independence, and that whatever in- 
terest may be collected on the remaining sum, shall go to the 
Literary Department of Baylor University at Waco, until the 
location of the one University is effected and the school 
opened. 

Seventh — That when the proposed Institution shall be 
located, its Trustees shall be elected by the Baptist State Con- 
vention and General Association of Texas. 

(Signed) RUFUS C. BURLESON, 
F. M. LAW, 
J. B. LINK, 

WM. CAREY CRANE, 
JOEL W. TERRELL, 
R. C. BUCKNER, 
B. H. CARROLL, 
REDDIN ANDREWS. 

Another remarkable thing about this agreement was, that 
notwithstanding the plan was adopted without dissent as being 
the wisest that could be devised, no one could be found to pre- 
sent it to the meeting at Bremond. Dr. Burleson was among 
the first to renounce it, and characterized it as a "bantling." 

This was strange, since Drs. Burleson, Carroll and Buck- 
ner gained almost every point for Waco contended for in the 
meeting at Navasota. This plan did not strike those interested 
not even the men who devised it on mature reflection, and 
nothing more was heard of it. 



446 The Life and Writings of 

It is doubtful whether any question was ever considered 
by the people of Texas in as many forms as the reconstruction 
of Baptist Educational affairs. First it was the removal of 
Baylor University and Baylor Female College from Indepen- 
dence. Then the Educational Union; next Centennial Com- 
mission ; next the ISTavasota scheme. All these failed and were 
followed by the plan of unification and consolidation. This 
touched the Sunday School Conventions of the State Conven- 
tion, and General Association in Houston in 1855, then all the 
General bodies in the same year as noticed in giving Dr. Bur- 
leson's connection with them. But the movement met with so 
much favor that it was destined to reach other interests, and 
settle other important questions, the settlement of which had 
been sought to be effected by indirection. 

At a largely attended session of the General Association 
held in Ennis on the 24th of July, 1885, Dr. S. A. Hayden 
gave the question tangible form, dignity and at the same time 
responsibility, by the introduction of the following preamble 
and resolutions : 

"Whereas, The Baptists of Texas, led, as we believe by 
the Spirit of God, are seeking some practical basis of fraternal 
union, and 

Whereas, We believe the prayer of Christ, that His 
people "might all be one," is destined to a complete fulfill- 
ment, and, 

Whereas, Institutions of learning are powerful agen- 
cies for good or evil, as they are directed by Christian or anti- 
Christian influences, and, 

Whereas, We can only hope to educate our youth by 
providing facilities for attaining knowledge equal to the secu- 
lar institutions of the country, and, 

Whereas, The securement of the perfect accord of our 
people in Texas, centers largely upon our educational interests; 
therefore 

Resolved, 1. That in order to remove any obstacle that 
may be in the way of our future concert of action in advanc- 
ing the Baptist cause in Texas, it is, in our judgment, desirable, 
that all our denominational institutions of learning in Texas, 
be united into one Baptist State University. 



Dr. Kuftts C. Bukleson. 447 

Resolved, 2. That we, the Baptist General Association 
of Texas, pledge ourselves to meet any proposition looking to 
such consolidation of schools upon principles of fairness and 
equality. 

Resolved, 3. We believe that we do but express the senti- 
ment of the great Baptist family of Texas, as well as provide 
for the best interests of the proposed consolidated University 
in making it a condition of such consolidation that Rufus C. 
Burleson, D. D., LL. D., the only survivor of the great men 
who have laid the foundation of Baptist education in Texas, 
and who has spent his entire life in that work, be made the 
Chancellor for life of the said consolidated University with 
adequate salary. 

We believe also that we do but voice the sentiment of 
all the Baptists of Texas, in suggesting that the proposed con- 
solidated University bear the honored name of R. E. B. 
Baylor. 

Resolved, further. That we hereby appoint L. L. Foster, 
President of this body, S. L. Morris and Henry Furman a 
committee to visit the State Convention at Lampasas and in- 
form that body of the action of this Association. 

That in the event a consolidation of the schools shall not 
be acceptable to the Convention, then we request the Board 
of Trustees of Waco University to select some suitable site on 
the hills near Waco for the permanent establishment of Waco 
University, and we pledge ourselves to use our best energies 
to raise within the next five years an endowment of $500,000, 
for said University, and do all in our power to secure for the 
youth of Texas a Baptist University worthy of the name. 

It is understood that nothing in these resolutions shall be 
construed to suspend any plan of collecting endowment notes, 
or securing pledges that the Board may deem expedient. 

Resolved, That nothing in the reports adopted at this 
meeting shall be construed as being in conflict with these reso- 
lutions. The above and forgoing were adopted as the senti- 
ment of the Association. It was suggested that the convention 
might construe some of the expressions as threatening in char- 
acter, and to avoid any such misapprehension Dr. Hayden 
offered the following resolution clearly disclaiming any such 
intention or spirit : 



448 The Life and Writings of 

"Whereas, It has been said that the resolutions passed 
by this body, proposing a union of our denominational schools 
in Texas, contain a threat to the State Convention if they 
reject the proposition. Therefore, 

Resolved, That the intention of the resolution referred 
to, was to assure the friends of Waco University that there 
was no design to injure that institution, but to guarantee it 
against any loss that might arise from delay in collecting the 
endowment, and the conditions are not intended to dictate to 
the convention." 

As an assurance that the General Association sought no 
advantage, in case the proposition was entertained with favor 
by the convention, R. T. Hanks offered a resolution which 
was intended to forestall any objection of this kind : 

Resolved, That the committee to the State Convention 
go uninstructed as to the details of consolidation, and that 
they do not incorporate in their communication to that body 
any of the resolutions except those on the main point of con- 
solidation. 

The issue of removal, unification and consolidation was by 
the Hay den. resolutions fairly joined. The line was drawn and 
Baptists stepped to one side or the other. And not only Bap- 
tists, but many who were not in affiliation with this denomina- 
tion entered the arena. The success of unification, meant the 
removal of the schools from Independence, this was evident. 
Those, therefore, who opposed their removal, were hostile to 
the movement. The resolutions were passed by the Associa- 
tion last of July. The convention did not convene until 3rd 
of October; this gave the people two months in which to dis- 
cuss the question. 

Dr. Burleson had very little to say on the subject. He 
was urged to express himself, but declined to say more than 
"if they decided to remove Baylor University from Independ- 
ence, Waco University stands ready to furnish her elder sister 
with shelter and protection." 

The Baptist State Convention met in Lampasas October 
3, 1885, and the burning question in the mind of every dele- 
gate present was removal and consolidation. Both sides held 
frequent caucuses, to decide upon offensive and defensive 
methods. 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 449 

The question was brought before the- body by G. W. 
Smith, who introduced the following resolution : 

Whereas, The General Association has appointed a com- 
mittee to confer with this body on the subject of the consoli- 
dation of our educational interests. Therefore, be it 

"Resolved, That this body appoint a committee to confer 
with the one appointed by the General Association on this 
subject, and report to this body." 

The committee of the Convention to treat with committee 
from the Association having been thus provided for. A. W. 
Dunn offered this resolution : 

Whereas, There has been much agitation in the bounds 
of this convention on the subject of the removal of Baylor 
University from Independence, therefore, 

Resolved, That this matter be placed before the conven- 
tion for the action of this body on the question." This resolu- 
tion passed, but failed in its purpose to bring up the question 
for general discussion on the floor. The matter had been re- 
ferred to a large special committee and its decision was 
awaited. 

This committee met and took up the vexed issue. The 
meeting was prolonged far into the night. The debate was 
earnest and powerful. It was apparent, however, from the 
very beginning that those who favored retaining the schools 
at Independence were in a hopeless minority, and however 
earnest they might be, their cause was lost. The report recom- 
mending removal was finally agreed to, presented to the con- 
vention and adopted. Its provisions are set forth in the fol- 
lowing : 

"Your Committee on the removal of the Baylor Univer- 
sity and Baylor Female College from Independence, beg leave 
to report that we have had the matter uuder advisement, and, 
in our opinion, for various reasons which appear to us good and 
sufficient, the time has fully come when these Institutions of 
learning should be removed to some more eligible place in the 
State, and we therefore recommend that this be done. 

"We further recommend that a committee of fifteen be 
appointed to take charge of this whole matter of removal and 
location, and all questions that may arise pertaining thereto, 

29 



450 The Life and Whitings of 

including consolidation, etc., in conjunction with the Boards 
of Trustees of the two schools, and that they take at once such 
steps as may be necessary to the earliest practicable accom- 
lishment of this important work. 

"And, further, that the schools remain at Independence 
at least this year; but, in our opinion, if practicable, the place 
should be selected and in readiness for the opening of the 
schools at the new location, or locations, by September, 1886. 
"Further, we recommend that the present building, 
grounds, libraries, apparatus and furniture be tendered to the 
Union Association for educational purposes, and maintained 
at Independence, and that the endowment already raised be 
subject to the will of the donors to remain, with the schools 
at Independence, or be carried with the University and Col- 
lege to the new location, as each donor may elect. Any en- 
dowment, the owners of which are dead, shall be left with the 
schools at Independence. 

J. H. STEIBLING, 

M. V. SMITH, 

J. B. LINK, 

J. A. HACKETT, 

J. BEALL, 

A. W. DUNN, 

W. E. MAXWELL, 

A. T. SPALDING, 

A. W. McIVEK, 

E. J. SLEDGE, 

I. SELLEES, 

S. A. BEAUCHAMP, 

Wm. HOWAED, 

HAEEY HAYNES. 

The report of the special committee having been pre- 
sented to the convention and adopted, the following formal 
reply to the committee from the General Association was 
made, which also refers all detail of consolidation to the joint 
committee. 



Dr. Ktjfus C. Burleson. 451 

Report on Consolidation oe Schools. 

Your Committee on Consolidation of Educational inter- 
ests of the Baptists of Texas, beg leave to report that it is the 
sense of this Convention, that the consolidation of our Institu- 
tions of learning is desirable, and that we will consider any 
proposition that may be presented on the basis of fairness and 
equality to all parties interested, and we recommend the refer- 
ence of this question to the committee of fifteen already ap- 
pointed in connection with the Boards of Trustees of Bayloi; 
University and Baylor Female College. 

A. W. DUKN T , Chairman. 

The committee of fifteen provided for in the foregoing 
report was appointed by the President of the convention. 
The location of the consolidated school was the question of 
most interest that remained opened. As a friend of Waco, 
and the school at the place the time for Dr. Burleson to speak 
had come. The Waco correspondent of the Galveston-Dallas 
News, sought and obtained from him an expression of his 
views which is here appended : 

Dr. Burleson's Consolidation Views. 

In view of the general interest in the approaching con- 
ference of the two committees to which have been referred 
the question of the location of the consolidated Universities of 
Baylor and Waco, a representative of The News called upon 
Dr. Burleson, of Waco University, for his views on the sub- 
ject. The result of the interview, divested of pleasant pre- 
liminaries, is annexed : 

"What are you views of the consolidation of Waco and 
Baylor Universities ?" 

"'This is a very delicate and important subject, and all 
expressions of mine liable to misconstruction, especially as the 
general association at Ennis proposed to make me president 
or chancellor for life of the consolidated institution. But, 
during a public life of forty-five years, I have ever been frank 
and fearless. I will state that I wanted Baylor University, 
with her noble board of trustees and useful record of forty 
years, to remain at Independence and carry out the grand in- 



452 The Life and - Writings of 

tentions of her founders. I gave ten years of the best of my 
life to Baylor University, and though often misunderstood and 
wronged by some, she has ever been dear to my heart, and her 
decline and removal is a profound sorrow to me. But the 
Baptist State Convention and her noble trustees have resolved 
to remove Baylor to some point in Central Texas. And as two 
Baptist Universities in the same section of the State would be 
.a calamity and result in greater friction and final failure, I 
feel the union of the two universities would be for the good 
of the Baptists and people of Texas. Provided always that it 
can be done on principles of "perfect fairness and equality 
to all." It must not be as some have said the whale swallowing 
Jonah, but the loving union for life of two hearts and hands 
and destinies. Such a consolidation would not only prevent 
the calamity of two Baptist institutions in the same vicinity, 
but would save Baylor University much of the fearful loss al- 
ways attending the removal of a university to a new location. 
All the early alumni, her Breedloves, her Densons, her Har- 
rises, her Paschals, her Parks, her Browns, her Carrolls and 
scores of others, graduated under my presidency, and to join 
their old president at Waco under the honored name of Baylor 
University, with her trustees and faculty and alumni, would 
be only like a parted stream meeting and mingling its waters 
as of old. It would be uniting the whole great family." 
"Do you think the two universities will be united?" 
"It will be almost a miracle if they are. There are dini- 
oulties and causes of misapprehensions and local and personal 
interests almost insurmountable. In the first place, Baylor 
University is fifteen years older and will feel entitled to. prece- 
dence in selecting the location when consolidated. In the 
next place, the faculty and trustees of Waco University and 
the General Association are under peculiar and honorable 
pledges to the people of Waco to stay in Waco. There are at 
least forty good men who came to Waco, saying to me, "We 
want to settle near a permanent institution; are you perma- 
nently located in Waco?" And on my assurance they have 
■sold their homes and bought $200,000 worth of property and 
-settled in Waco. There are also 180 noble young men and 
ladies who have graduated in Waco University under my 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 45 3 

often repeated assurance that Waco University was a fixture 
and a success. Still more, twenty-five years ago, just as Fort 
Sumpter was battered down, we pledged the citizens of "Waco, 
if they would furnish us the grounds and buildings as we 
needed them, the Baptists abroad would furnish the endow- 
ment, and we would build up a great and permanent univer- 
sity in Waco. The General Association repeated this solemn 
pledge in 1883, and if the citizens have not furnished us such 
buildings as we needed, it is because the Baptists abroad have 
not furnished the endowment, as promised. They are ready 
to-day to redeem their pledge, if we will do our part, so our 
best men say. JSTow, it would be infamous on the Baptists, 
and especially the General Association and me, to falsify all 
these promises to the good friends who have invested their all 
here on our assurance, and doubly so to the 180 noble young 
men and ladies who have graduated, and to the scores and 
hundreds who have been educated here under our pledge of 
permanency, and, lastly, to the citizens of Waco, who say they 
are ready to cany out their pledges if we will ours. Now will 
we not commit a three-fold crime to desert Waco if Waco will 
do as well for the consolidated university as any other town or 
city in Texas? And, besides all this, every profound educa- 
tor knows that every graduate is worth to his alma mater, on 
the lowest average, $1,000, some being worth $25,000 to 
$50,000. Now, Waco University has a good endowment 
of at least $70,000; she has in lots, lands, buildings and 
a building fund of $45,000 or $50,000, and an alumni 
worth at lowest average $180,000. Some of the papers 
have asked why it is that Waco University has nearly 
as many students as the State University and the A. and M. 
College both combined, with their millions of public money 
in costly buildings and endowment. Here is one of the grand 
secrets of Our success. Our noble sons and daughters, in 
every part of this Empire State, are giving, and toiling, and 
praying, for the success of their alma mater. ISTow, will it be 
'just, and fair and wise' to require Waco University to falsify 
all her pledges, to scatter her prestige of twenty-five years' 
success, for some hew and untried place where we will have to 
toil twenty-five years to gain what we have in Waco ? 



454 The Life and Writings of 

"From all these facts it will be seen how many difficul- 
ties surround us. Some will clamor that Waco University 
wants to dictate to our elder and well beloved sister. Far 
otherwise. We only ask not to be required to violate our sol- 
emn promises and scatter the hard-earned toils of twenty-five 
years merely for some other place which has not borne the heat 
and burden of the day, and comes in at the eleventh hour and 
fiftieth minute to get the loaves and fishes. But remember 
that all this is based on the supposition that Waco will do as 
much for the consolidated university as any other place in 
Texas. But if she doesn't, we are at liberty to go elsewhere.'"' 

The remainder of the story of Texas Baptist unification 
and consolidation need not be long. The plan of uniting the 
two general missionary bodies has been given. Substantially 
the same plan was pursued in reference to the universities. A 
special session of the General Association was held in Dallas 
November 25th, 1885, and appointed a committee to act with 
the convention committee, appointed at Lampasas, October 
the 3d. Both committees were invested with plenary power, 
the action had was final, and they, therefore, had nothing to 
report back to their respective bodies. 

The Boards of Trustees of the institutions at Waco and 
Independence held special meetings and passed resolutions of 
acquiescence in the action of the State Convention and Gen- 
eral Association in deciding to unite the schools. 

The discussion of the subject had been carried on for 
years; a half dozen plans had been proposed and rejected. A 
score of meetings had been held and failed in their purpose. 
The denomination realized that something must be done, but 
did not seem to know how to proceed. They were feeling 
around in the dark. 

But now the plans proposed met with almost universal 
acceptance, the culmination of affairs was rapid and without 
friction. 

The committees held a joint session in Temple December 
the 9th, 1885, and organized by electing R. T. Hanks chair- 
man. 

The battle of San Jacinto, which resulted in the estab- 
lishment of Texas freedom from Mexican thraldom, was 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 455 

fought in eighteen minutes. So the history-making proceed- 
ings of the joint committee were short. It was no time for 
pyro technical display. The joint committee appointed a sub- 
committee, composed of C. R. Breedlove, B. H. Carroll, J. B. 
Link, M. V. Smith, R. J. Sledge, F. M. Low, L. L. Foster, R. 
C. Burleson, J. L. Whittle and W. B. Denson, who formu- 
lated the following basis of consolidation : 

1. That Waco and Baylor Universities be consolidated. 
2. The name of the school shall be Baylor University. 3. 
That Baylor University be located at Waco; and we further 
agree that the Female Department be continued there as it 
now exists; provided that Waco gives a bonus, (a) The old 
buildings and grounds of Waco University; (b) the $60,000 
already secured for an endowment; (c) $45,000 additional 
building fund; (d) twenty acres of ground for a building site 
for the University; provided, further, that at the expiration of 
ten years the continuance of the system of co-education at 
Waco be determined by a majority of the consolidated body, 
to which the institution, with its funds and property, shall 
belong. 4. That as very many Baptists oppose co-educa- 
tion that Baylor Female College be located at some other cen- 
tral point, the place where located to give a bonus of at least 
suitable grounds and buildings; and that Baylor Female Col- 
lege, thus located, be also the property of the consolidated 
General Body. 5. That the endowment of the present Bav- 
lor University go to Waco with the new Baylor University, 
according to the terms agreed upon by the State Convention, 
and published in these minutes. 6. That the act of locating 
Baylor Female College be referred to the following persons: 
F. M. Law, A. W. Dunn, H. W. Waters, C. R. Breedlove, G. 
W. Capps, J". B. Link, R. J. Sledge, R. Andrews, O. H. P. 
Garrett, M. V. Smith, G. W. Breedlove, Hosea Garrett, A. 
W. Mclver, Wm. Howard, J. H. Stribling, S. A. Beachamp, 
W. R. Maxwell, C. C. Garrett and S. F. Styles." 

The public-spirited citizens of Waco met all the require- 
ments of the committee, and secured the consolidated uni- 
versity; and Baylor Female College was removed from Inde- 
pendence and located at Belton. 



456 • The Life axd "Writings of 

The Trustees of their respective schools met soon there- 
after and acquiesced in the action of the joint committee, and 
thus ended a controversy that had been going on among Texas 
Baptists, in changing form, for twenty years. 

The settlement gave Texas Baptists the university at 
Waco, the peer of any in all the States, and Baylor Female 
College, which has been denominated the "Vassar of the 
South." 




Dr. Euftjs C. Burleson. 457 



CHAPTER LII 



Besults oe Baptist Educational Reconstruction in Texas 
First Session of the Consolidated School — Dr. 
Burleson's Remarks — Transfer of Property of 
Waco University — Gen. Speight, President, and W. 
H. Jenkins, Secretary, of the Old Board — Their 
Faithfulness — B. H. Carroll, President of the New 
Board — His First Report to the Convention— New 
College Campus Purchased, and New Buildings 
Erected — In 1893 All Debts Paid — Co-Education 
Readopted After Ten Years' Trial — Dr. Burleson 
a Hard Worker — In Baylor, His Rosiest Dream 
Realized — Exposure in Early Days in Texas — Ad- 
vanced in Life — Elected President Emeritus on Full 
Pay — His Letter of Acceptance — Trustees Kneel, 
Dr. Burleson Leads in Prayer — Public Ca- 
reer Closes in a Spirit of Human Magnanimity, and 
Flow of Christian Fellowship and Love. 



D 



R. BURLESON, it will be seen, came out of the tur- 
moil and confusion of the period of Baptist educa- 
tional reconstruction in Texas with nearly every- 
thing he had contended for. The school over which he pre- 
sided was retained at Waco, his contention for co-education 
was sustained, and he was continued in the Presidency. He 
claimed no part of the brilliant victory won in the contest; 
that was left for the historian, and to be settled by a verdict of 
the people, which has been rendered in his favor. In all his 



458 The Life and Writings of 

struggles for higher education in Texas, covering a period of 
forty-seven years and in his efforts to retain the University at 
Waco, he had the valuable help of mighty men, to whom 
Waco and Texas are under lasting obligations, which should 
never be forgotten. But the verdict of the people is that 
Dr. Burleson deserved more credit for raising Baylor Univer- 
sity to its present high standard than 'any one man, either 
living or dead. All effort, should such be made, to displace 
him from his hard-earned position in history will prove to be 
as fruitless as an effort to dislodge the sun from his eternal 
resting place. 

The first session of the consolidated University opened 
September the 20th, 1886. 

All the departments of a first-class university were pro- 
vided for. 

There were 215 male and 122 female students matricu- 
lated the first session, a total of 337. This was increased in 
1877 to 479. In opening the first session after consolida- 
tion, Dr. Burleson, in his address, remarked in part as follows : 

Future of Baylor- Waco University. 

Henceforth Waco University will be known as Baylor 
University. By the terms of consolidation, adopted by 
eighty representative men from every part of Texas, assembled 
at Temple, December 10, 1885, it was agreed that Baylor 
University, chartered in 1845, should be united with the 
Waco University, chartered in 1861, under the venerated 
name of Baylor University, to be located at Waco. The 
$76,000 endowment of Baylor and $60,00 of Waco, and the 
faculties and Boards of Trustees consolidated and all placed 
under the control of the Texas Baptist General Convention, 
to be co-extensive with the whole State. 

It was also agreed that the endowment be increased to 
$500,000, active available funds, and not as heretofore, "on 
paper." 

Never before has there been so much union in our educa- 
tional work. The 180,000 Baptists of Texas are vigorously 
at work to make Baylor University, at Waco, the peer of any 
university on the planet. In this grand work every Baptist 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 459 

has a part. "We need alike the thousands of the rich, and the 
tens and hundreds of those not rich. "We want every widow 
in Texas to have at least a "mite" in this work, that will 
increase and shine with increasing splendors for at least a thou- 
sand years to come. But so grand a work cannot be accom- 
plished by good wishes and high-sounding resolutions. While 
nothing succeeds like success, yet success will end in failure, 
unless pushed on to a grander success. 

Indeed, great successes are always fraught with ruin 
without increased vigilance, toil and prayer. And while no 
institution in Texas has such glorious prospects as Baylor- 
Waco University gathering around it — the glorious history, 
the splendid success — yet without untiring energy and pru- 
dence all may yet be wrecked. "We, therefore, call every 
Baptist and friend of Christian education in Texas to increased 
zeal and activity and prayer for the speedy consummation of 
this glorious end. 

The following year, March 14th, 1887, the Board of 
Trustees of Waco University met, when they proceeded to 
comply with the requirements of the Temple Committee. 
There were present J. S. Allen, M. D. Herring, John L. Dyer, 
B. C. Burleson, J. M. Anderson, M. H. Standifer, James B. 
Baker and Warwick H. Jenkins. The meeting was held in 
the basement of the First Baptist Church. The President of 
the Board being absent, J. S. Allen presided. The object of 
the meeting was stated to be as follows : 

"The Baylor University at Waco is now fully organized 
under its new charter. Under the agreement made and 
entered into at Temple, this corporation was to turn over to 
the new University, if located at Waco, all of its property of 
every kind. The new University has been so located, and 
this meeting is called to take action in reference to the trans- 
fer of the property to the new University." 

The following resolution was then offered and unani- 
mously adopted : 

Whereas, The Baptist deuomination of Texas has 
located the Baptist University, under the name of Baylor 
University, at Waco, Texas, in the City of Waco ; and 

Whereas, The location of said University is in pursuance 



460 The Life and Writings of 

of an agreement made and entered into on the 9 th day of 
December, 1885, in Temple, a part of which was that the- 
Board, in consideration of said location in Waco, should con- 
vey to the new University, when so located, all of its assets- 
of every kind, including lands, buildings, endowment, library r 
apparatus, money, stocks, rights, credits and chose in action; 
now, therefore, in consideration of the foregoing, and for the 
further consideration that said corporation, Baylor University^ 
at Waco, Texas, has assumed and agreed to pay off and dis- 
charge all the obligations of this corporations; 

Resolved, That this corporation, the - Waco University, do 
by deed, duly executed, transfer and convey to said Board of 
Trustees of Baylor University, at W aco, Texas, all of its prop- 
erty of every kind, as aforesaid. 

On motion, the Board then adjourned subject to the call 
of the chair. 

W. H. JENKINS, Secretary. 

On the 2 2d of May a resolution was passed authorizing 
General Joseph W. Speight, President of the Board, to make- 
the transfer, as provided in the resolution of May 14th. 

The last meeting held by the Board of Trustees of Waco 
University was on June 7th, 1887. 

From June 22d, 1878, to June the 17th, 1887, the pro- 
ceedings were recorded by Judge Warwick H. Jenkins, the- 
Secretary. The minutes were most excellently kept. Judge 
Jenkins did not miss a single session of the Board during these- 
nine years, and his characteristic signature is affixed to the- 
minutes of every meeting held. 

General Joseph W . Speight presided over the first meet- 
ing, held on the 21st of January, 1861, and he also presided 
over the last meeting, held on June 7th, 1887. During these- 
twenty years, when he was marked absent, which was only a 
few times, this explanation was recorded by the Secretary: 
"The President absent, on account of sickness.'' No wonder 
that Dr. Burleson was so fond of using the expression, "cease- 
less" when his friends were so ceaseless in their attention; and 
no wonder he succeeded, with supporters so loyal to duty. 

The mission of the Board having been accomplished, its 
business was closed "in decency and in order," and the old 



Dk. Kufus C. Burleson. 461 

record, like its predecessor at Independence, was rolled back, 
i:o take its place among the deathless, but silent, annals of the 
past. 

Dr. B. H. Carroll, of Waco, succeeded General Speight 
to the Presidency of the Board after consolidation had been 
consummated in 1887, and in 1902 is still incumbent. In 
his first annual report as President of the Board, made at a ses- 
sion of the Baptist General Convention, held in Dallas, Sep- 
tember 29th, 1887, Dr. Carroll gives an itemized statement 
of the condition of the old endowment fund, the operations of 
the Financial Agent for the year, and states what has been and 
is being done in the way of providing the needed buildings. 

"The central building, 120x84 feet and three stories high, 
is complete and occupied. The female boarding house, 184 
x84 feet and three stories high, is so nearly completed that it 
may be occupied in about two weeks. The bill of furniture 
for twelve large recitation rooms and the chapel of the central 
building (only two stories) aggregate $2,600. For sixty-six 
rooms of the boarding department, exclusive of parlor, dining 
liall and kitchen, the aggregate is $3,300. 

"The buildings are magnificent in appearance and exceed 
any we know anything about west of the Mississippi River. 
They are built of brick, with stone finish. They are at present 
-warmed with coal stoves. The new term opened with a com- 
plete faculty of teachers. We close our report with the fol- 
lowing recommendations : 

1. That an opportunity be immediately granted for 
securing amounts to pay for the furniture herein specified. 

2. That a larger number of the Board of Trustees be 
selected from Waco and its vicinity, so as to secure a quorum 
for business. 

At Houston, in 1889, Dr. Carroll's report was brief, but 
gives a correct conception of the progress made and condition 
-of the University : 

"We commence the new year with twenty-four profes- 
sors and teachers, and have already, though so early in the 
collegiate year, matriculated 412 students. We have now 
sixty-two young ladies in the Boarding Hall, directly under 
the supervision of Dr. and Mrs. Burleson. There are some 



462 The Life and Writings of 

other young lady boarders with, their relatives in private 
houses, besides the resident female patronage. 

"The Maggie Houston Boarding Hall and the homes of 
the professors and many eligible and convenient residences of 
other families, are crowded with young men from over Texas 
and other States. The spirit of the school is admirable." 

ISTo man in Texas was more gratified, no man, it may be 
said, was or had been in position to be more gratified, over the 
success of the University than Dr. Burleson. He had led it in 
the wilderness of Texas when a toddling educational infant on 
down to its present stately proportions reported to the conven- 
tion by the President of the Board of Trustees. Neither 
Wellington, at Waterloo, nor Houston, at San Jacinto, 
achieved a greater victory than he. 

In 1893, at Gainesville, during Dr. Burleson's second 
term as President, President Carroll, after a canvass 01 two 
years, not only made glad the heart of Dr. Burleson, but of 
every Baptist in the State, and it may be said also of every 
friend 'of Texas education, by the following statement : 

"We announce to you that the great debt so long crush- 
ing and crippling us, has been lifted off Baylor University. 
There is not a vestige of mortgage or obligation of any kind 
now holding against our new buildings and grounds. They 
are free forever. It is true that some debt attaches to the 
outside property, which would have been paid if the time had 
been favorable to the sale of that property. You will recall 
the proposition of the Trustees, that if the Baptists of the 
State, outside of Waco,, would pay $25,000, by a given date, 
they (the Trustees), by utilizing outside assets and by their 
own contributions, would pay the whole debt." 

The ten years having expired, the time insisted on by Dr. 
Burleson, and fixed by the Consolidation Committee at Tem- 
ple, in which to test co-education in the University at Waco, 
it was continued by the convention in Houston in 1896, and 
adopted as a policy of the school. This was a compliment to Dr. 
Burleson's judgment, since its wisdom was seriously ques- 
tioned when he suggested it. He lived to see not only Baylor, 
but two hundred of the leading — institutions of the world, 
adopt co-education as a permanent policy. 



Dk. Ruftjs C. Bukleson. 463 

Prom his very boyhood and on through youth and man- 
hood, Dr. Burleson was possessed of an indefatigable purpose, 
and was an indefatigable worker. On one occasion he was 
heard to say that he had lost but one day from his work in 
fifty years; this happened while waiting for Judge Baylor to 
close a term of the District Court of Milam County, in Cam- 
eron, and accompany him to an appointment on Little River. 
He was now seventy-five years old. And ten years more may 
be added to his actual age on account of the discomfort and 
exposure he suffered during his early years in Texas. Trav- 
eling in Texas from 1848 to 1868 was hard work. Dr. Bur- 
leson rode horseback, swam creeks, slept in swamps, went 
without food, and suffered innumerable privations, all of 
which impaired his constitution, never robust since it was 
impaired by hard study at Nashville University in 1840. 

The glory of Baylor was the full realization of his rosiest 
dream and the gratification of his highest ambition. He had 
reached the summit of the hill of life, and was descending to 
the foot on the other side, covered with glory and renown. 

The natural law of germination, growth, development 
and decay is immutable, inexorable, unchanging and unvary- 
ing in its effect on all life, both animate and inanimate. Dr. 
Burleson never realized that this law applied to him, as to all 
flesh, and at seventy-five was possessed of as much will power, 
ambition and mental energy as at any time in his prime. He 
was a remarkable character, and it required just this kind of 
a man to succeed in building in Texas. His qualifications 
were God-given and special. 

At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of Baylor Uni- 
versity, held June the 10th, 1897, Judge W. H. Jenkins intro- 
duced the following resolution : 

"Resolved, That Dr. R. C. Burleson be elected Chancellor 
of Baylor University for life, on a salary of $2,000 per year, 
on the following conditions: At pleasure and convenience 
to labor for the school; right to preside over the faculty; sug- 
gest lines of discipline ; advise with and counsel the Board and 
faculty on all matters; Board to select faculty, with advice of 
the Chancellor; the Board to select the chairman of the 
faculty." 



464 The Life and Writings of 

The debate on this resolution brought out every relative 
and pertinent fact in reference to the Presidency and faculty 
of the school, and resulted in the unopposed adoption of this 
substitute : 

"Resolved, First, That Dr. B. C. Burleson be elected 
President Emeritus of Baylor University for life, on a salary 
of $2,000 per year, to be paid and received under all condi- 
tions of payment of professors doing regular class work. 

"Resolved, Second, That the object of this election is not 
meant to sever his name, memory and influence from Baylor 
University, but relieving him of the duties and responsibilities 
of teaching and administration, onerous to his advanced age. 
Will allow him to do such general work of travel and corre- 
spondence and lecturing to young preachers as may suit his 
own convenience and inclination.'' 

A committee, composed of O. S. Lattimore and J. B. 
Scarborough, were appointed to inform Dr. Burleson of the 
action of the Trustees. 

The following day, June 11th, Dr. Burleson appeared in 
person before the Board in a called session, and presented the 
subjoined communication : 

Waco, Texas, June 11, 1897. 
To the Board of Trustees of Baylor University : 

Dear Brethren — I have received and prayerfully con- 
sidered your proposition of last night, in which you now pro- 
pose to elect me President Emeritus for life, on a salary of 
$2,000 a year. In this new departure you propose to relieve 
me from teaching, administration and nominating mem- 
bers of the faculty, but to assign me the laborious duties of 
traveling, correspondence and lecturing on homiletics. My 
dear brethren, I wish to say in all kindness and love, this is a 
sad innovation on the laws and usages of Baylor University 
for forty-six years, and by which the school has achieved its 
present glory. I solemnly fear that great evil will result 
from such an innovation. 

But to decline, and dissolve my connection with Baylor, 
for which I have toiled for forty-six years, and sacrificed 
$18,000 inherited from my father and father-in-law, would 
bring irreparable damage on my life purpose of founding a 



Dr. Eufus C. Burleson. 



465 



great Baptist university. I will, therefore, accept the posi- 
tion assigned me and give it a fair trial, and do all in my 
power to advance the glory of Baylor University. 
Yours respectfully, 

KUFITS C. BUKLESOK 

When the reading of this letter had been concluded, the 
Trustees knelt, while Dr. Burleson led in prayer. And thus, 
and there, and then, terminated his public career, in a spirit of 
human magnanimity and flow of Christian love and fellowship. 




30 



466 The Life and Writings of 



AFTER-WORD 



OED MACAULAY said that while England could 
boast of multitudes of literary men possessed of a 
high order of genius, yet she had produced but two 
with great, original, imaginative minds. One of these was 
the author of Pilgrim's Progress; the other Paradise Lost. 

So we say, Texas can boast of a multitude of great preach- 
ers, accomplished scholars and able educators, but has pro- 
duced but one P. C. Burleson. Some surpassed him in the 
pulpit, others were superior in scholastic accomplishments, 
and still others outstripped him in profound learning. But in 
courage, unconquerable loyalty to purpose, ability to make a 
standing place, marvelous capacity for work, in strength of 
administrative capacity, in the educational affairs of Texas, 
like Bunyan and Milton in literature, he occupies a position 
to himself. 

In youth Milton was consumed with the ambition to 
give the world its master epic. Bunyan was saturated with a 
heaven-born purpose to preach. In their thirstings both were 
as ceaseless as the unfolding ages; but neither any more so 
than Pufus C. Burleson to build for the Baptists of Texas a 
great institution of learning. That Milton and Bunyan suc- 
ceeded is the consenting verdict of Christendom. That Dr. 
Burleson succeeded is the unassailable verdict of all Texas. 

In executing his plans difficulties fell athwart his line of 
march, and his plan of battle was obstructed; but he seemed 
to be incapable of the feeling of discouragement, and was a 
stranger to the sensation of fear. He did not assail his oppo- 
nents like Sir • Artegal's iron man, Talus, with cruel clubs, 
insensible to human infirmities, but won them with reason if 



De. Rufus C. Burleson. 467 

he could. If he failed, he did not walk backward, nor swerve 
one iota to the right or left, but pressed straight forward, with 
added enthusiasm and increasing zeal. 

Possessing this element of character, it may seem para- 
doxical, but is, nevertheless, true, that no man appreciated 
more highly the applause of the public, or service of a friend, 
than did Dr. Burleson. Napoleon courted opposition, was 
never despairing, despised offers of assistance, and spurned the 
approval of men. He wanted no other impelling force than his 
own invincible spirit. This is consistency of character. In 
the face of opposing forces these two men were spurred on by 
the same incentive, and revealed the same trait of character. 
Amid the world's applause they displayed widely variant dis- 
positions. 

Dr. Burleson stood against obloquy calmly, met oppo- 
nents lovingly, contended with difficulties bravely, and won 
his spurs fairly. 

Nothing good was overlooked. He was made a Mason 
in 1853, was a valuable member of the Texas State Historical 
Association, Chaplain and active member of Texas Veteran 
Association, charter member of the State Teachers' Associa- 
tion, and was keenly alive to every public movement and took 
part in every public discussion; yet he made education and 
Baylor University the corner-stone to his entire polity. 

Work was his watchword, and it may be said that he 
lived and died with his shoulder pressing the collar. Return- 
ing from Limestone County, where he assisted in setting 
apart two brethren to the Deaconhood, he took his bed, and on 
the fourteenth of May, nineteen hundred and one, a breath 
from heaven blew out his light of life. 

Stretched on his couch, with every fiber and filament of 
that old body, that had felt the blasts of seventy-eight winters, 
quivering with pain, he begged the watchers to turn his bed 
so he could see the University one more time. 

I long to look on Baylor's walls, 

Just one more time, 

Where for years I prayed and toiled, 

Before mine eyes grow too dim 

To catch that hallowed spot. 

Turn my bed, so I may look 



468 The Life and Writings of 

Through the mists of death, 

On those sacred precincts. 

Turn it quickly, for I hear 

The wings of angels fluttering, 

And soon they'll come with message, 

Which all the Redeemed in glory have heard, 

Come up higher, and wear a crown, 

Fashioned by the Eternal One, 

And worn by Ransomed Spirits, 

Through all uncounted ages, 

In realms of endless bliss. 

Now I see that hallowed spot, 

And look for the last time, 

Upon its sacred precincts. 

Oh, Baylor, Baylor! 

Within thy classic walls, 

I have poured out my soul to God, 

For strength and wisdom 

To guide young hearts and minds, 

Into places of piety and peace, 

And fill their hearts with holy aspirations. 

Since Texas was young 

And thee but a toddling infant, 

We have walked 'til now in locked embrace, 

But the hour of final separation has come. 

My language is faint, my vision gone, 

Sightless, in low-whispered accents 

I bid Thee a loving and dying farewell. 

Farwell, farewell, forever and ever farewell. 

Dr. Burleson, it may be said, saw the Genesis of Texas, 
and ere his eyes closed in death had the supreme satisfaction 
of witnessing its powerful expansion along both moral and 
material lines. He saw the population of the State increase 
from less than 50,000 to more than 3,000,000. He saw the 
transportation facilities increase from an occasional tramp 
sailing vessel, to thousands of ocean palaces, and the railroad 
lines from nothing to 10,000 miles. He saw the taxable wealth 
•of the State grow from less than $100,000,000, to more 
than $1,000,000,000. He saw the cultivated area expand 
from little farms scattered here and there, to more than 100,- 
000,000 acres. 

He saw Texas Baptists increase from a mere handful of 
hardy, struggling pioneers, to a mighty army of 300,000 well 
trained soldiers of the cross. He saw Baylor University open 



De. Rufus C. Burleson. 469 1 

with fifty-seven students, and lived to see nearly 1,000 matri- 
culate in the same school. He saw the institution domiciled in 
a wooden building worth $800, and lived to see it occupy 
palatial structures worth $300,000. 

JSTot only so, but he lived to see the Great Republic, the 
giant of the West, shake off its fetters of isolation, emerge 
from its policy of seclusiveness and become one of the com- 
mercial, financial and diplomatic giants of the world. 

He lived to see the most wonderful and rapid commer^ 
cial expansion made by any people in the annals of time. 

Dr. Burleson not only had the pleasure of witnessing all 
this marvelous growth, wonderful development, and the trans- 
forming influence of new thought, and broader plans, both 
in Texas and his common country, but in the evening of life 
and twilight of his career among men, the inexpressible satis- 
faction of feeling that his contribution was some part of the 
forces that had wrought this improvement in the moral, edu- 
cational and industrial condition of the people. 




3iss ^^p ! !*ll^ 



470 



The Life and Whitings of 




S. L. Morris. Mrs. Hallie Btrd Burleson-Morris. 

Georgialene. Lawrence. 

S. L. MORRIS AND FAMILY. 




Richard A. Burleson. Mrs. Ida Bloodworth-Burleson. 

Bessie Btrd. Emma King. 

Rufus C. Georgia Belle. 

R. A. BURLESON AND FAMILY. 



Dr. Rttfus C. Burlesox. 471 



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 

For valuable assistance in the preparation of this work I 
am indebted to Mrs. Georgia J. Burleson, Richard A. Burle- 
son, Prof. W. W. Franklin, T. W. Morriss, Prof. H. P. Prit- 
chett, Mrs. Harry Haynes, Mrs. Virginia Gillette Murrell, 
and to I. D. Affleck for special help in preparing the chapters 
setting forth the facts of Dr. Burleson's service for public edu- 
cation in Texas. 

PvECORDS CONSULTED. 

First Baptist church of Houston commenced in 1841. 

Waco Classical School, and Waco University commenced 
in 1861. 

Baylor University at Waco, commenced in 1887. 

Baptist church in Brenham commenced in 1846. 

Masonic Lodge at Independence, commenced in 1839. 

Qriginail Irecords of Union Baptist Association, com- 
menced in 1840. 

Original records of the Baptist State convention, com- 
menced in 1848. 

Original records Board Trustees of Waco University. 

Private papers of P. C. Burleson. 

HISTORIES. 

Pickett's History of Alabama. 
Wailes' Agriculture and Geology of Mississippi. 
Marllary's Memoirs of Jesse Mercer. 
Fuller's History of Texas Baptists. 
Monette's History of the Valley of the Mississippi. 
Texas Historical and Biographical Magazine. 
Thrall's History of Texas. 
Comprehensive History of Texas. 
Armitage's History of the Baptists. 
Brief History of the Burleson Family. 
Emerson's History of the Nineteenth Century. 
Proceedings of the Trustees of the Peabody Education 
Fund. 



PART II. 



FUNERAL and MEMORIAL SERVICES 



AT WACO AUDITORIUM, MAY 15, 1901. 



Dr. Rtjfus C. Burleson. 475 



FUNERAL and MEMORIAL SERVICES 

AT WACO AUDITORIUM, MAY 15, 1901. 



Scripture reading by Dr. S. J. Anderson. I Cor. 15 :35- 
55; IThess. 4:13-18; Is. 5-7. 

Prayer by Dr. A. M. Johnson. 

"Oh, God, we come to thee for help and blessing. This 
to us all is an hour of great sorrow and bereavement. We are 
all bereft, with his loved ones from whom he has gone for 
awhile. Strengthen us to bear the stroke which has fallen 
so heavily upon us. Pour the oil of comfort into the broken, 
bleeding hearts of the loved ones left behind. Give to all of 
-us a portion of Thy grace to sustain us in this hour of great 
trial. Thou didst give unto us this great and good man, and 
Thou hast taken him from us. Help us to say : "The Lord 
hath given and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the 
name of the Lord." 

"Our Father, we thank Thee that sorrow is not all that 
we experience in our hearts on this occasion. Joy mingles 
with it, and sweetens our grief. We rejoice in the life and 
work of our brother and friend whose lifeless form now lies 
before us. We rejoice in the excellencies and glory of his 
character, and the fruits of his labors. Thy redeeming grace, 
made him pure, good, and great. We see the exhibition in 
his life and work, of what grace divine, can do for men here 
on earth, and the glorious victory it gives in death. 

"Through the veil that intervenes between us and the 
home of the soul, by faith we see our brother seated in the 



476 The Life and Writings of 

Kingdom of Glory with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He is- 
gone, his face will be seen no more among us. We will miss 
him and feel the loss of his wise counsel. Help us all to 
cherish his memory and to imitate his virtue and holy example. 
Be Thou, Oh Lord, the ever present God of his wife and 
children, holding them in readiness for the meeting and the- 
re-union on high, which is sure to come to them with the- 
weight of eternal blessing and glory, through Jesus Christ, our 
Lord and Redeemer. Amen." 



FUNERAL SERMON BY DR. W. H. PARKS. 

"For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded 
that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him., 
against that day." 2 Tim. 1 :12. 

The sweep of Paul's spiritual vision was matchless. At 
one glance he saw flashes of the purpose and grace which were* 
in Christ Jesus before the world began, the hardships, prisons 
and death of the saints and the uplifted crown reserved for the 
faithful servants of God. 

No wonder then, that with this scope of vision he could 
exhort his son Timothy not to be ashamed of the gospel and 
of him, a prisoner because of "the afflictions of the gospel;" 
knowing that through the gospel, Christ had brought life and 
immortality to light, having abolished death. To strengthen 
Timothy for the warfare before him, he places before his mind 
the whole scope of his own comprehensive vision, and declares- 
that though he suffers he is not ashamed. "For," he says, "I 
know whom I have believed." This is strangely in contrast 
with the doubtings and speculations of men in all the ages. 
But Paul was a man thoroughly furnished. His faith was 
not of that flickering kind that looked as if it might be snuffed 
out by any adverse hand; His knowledge was assertive and 
no man could gainsay it. So profound was he and so dog- 
matic that we are not left "to find out by searching" but to> 
know because God has spoken. When the providences of God 
are threatening the saints and they are trembling in appre- 
hension of some dire disaster, He calls to them above the roar 
of the storm, "We know that all things work together for good 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 477 

to them that love God." When afflictions are pressing him 
sore and no prospect of relief on earth is held ont to him, he 
looks beyond into the eternal light and as its glories enrapture 
his soul, he cries out "we know that if our earthly house of 
this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, 
an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens." 

He was a disciple of that "great teacher sent from God," 
"whose teachings were truth and whose words were living." 
"The words which I speak unto you, thev are spirit, they are 
life." 

Other men had devised systems, had taught theories, had 
invented philosophies and all had their followers, who believed 
the doctrines of their respective teachers, but it was left to 
Paul's great teacher to give to the world a system of divine 
philosophy, of living words which could quicken the dead 
spirit of lost man into life, power and knowledge. The 
spiritual child of God, when he has had sweet communion 
with his Father, when he has been the beneficiary of blessings 
directly sought and directly bestowed, when he has been 
"delivered from the snare of the fowler" and when he has 
then turned to the treasure house of God's promises and God's 
assurances, may well cry with exultation, "I know whom I 
have believed." 

The afflicted patriarch, with his property and children 
swept from him with putrid sores torturing his body, with 
would-be comforters upbraiding, cried from the depth of his 
woe, "I know that my Redeemer liveth." 

The beloved disciple as he meditated upon the dissolution 
of his body and the deformity' which death might work upon 
it, lifted his eye above the grave and fixing upon the bright 
figure beyond exclaimed, "We know that when He shall 
appear we shall be like Him." Blessed knowledge ! How it 
lifts the fallen, cheers the faint, nerves the weak and leads 
the blind! The Bible is a fact. Christianity is a reality. 
Its system of truths is a fact. Its scheme of redemption is 
a fact, its final consummation will be the great, glorious, 
central fact of the universe. 

I note further the subject matter of the Apostle's knowl- 
edge. He does not simply claim to know the grace of God, 
"but him by whom the grace came. He does not claim to know 



478 The Life and Writings of 

a system of revealed truths, but the author, the embodiment 
of truth. He does not claim to know the lessons by his "great 
teacher taught/' but the teacher himself. 

While it is blessed to know things, it is glorious to know 
Him. "I determined not to know anything among you save 
Jesus Christ." "And this is life eternal, that they might 
know thee, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." To know 
him, he must be manifested by himself unto us. "He that 
loveth me shall be loved of my father, and I will love him and 
will manifest myself unto Him." Paul loved Him and by 
divine manifestation was made to know Him. That manifes- 
tation was intimate and full, for it was made by divine in- 
dwelling. "If a man love Me, he will keep My words; and 
my Father will love him, and we will come unto Him and 
make our abode with Him." And thus He manifests Him- 
self. 

We may meet a man upon the streets, may talk with him 
and may even have business relations with him and think we 
know him, but not till he comes into our home and abides 
with us there, can we truly know him. This our God offers 
to do with those who love him. "We will make our abode 
with Him." He will manifest His grace when favors are 
sought, when we are weak He will extend a helping hand and 
give strength, he will pity us when we suffer, sympathize with 
us and deliver us when tempted, sanctify our joys when we 
rejoice, direct and hallow our aspirations for higher life, for 
holy things. Not only does He abide with us but in us. He 
is enthroned in our hearts. Though his pure white throne 
is eternal in the heavens, He has a throne in every heart that 
loves Him, and thus it is, He manifests Himself. Thus it is 
that He makes us to know Him. Well then might one like 
Paul claim to know Him. He believed Him and so fully 
that he was persuaded," convinced that He would keep that 
which He had committed unto Him against that day. We do 
not need to ask what Paul had committed to his Lord. He 
was no half-hearted man. He was his Lord's altogether or 
he was nothing. His body, mind and spirit were all laid at 
his Master's feet, all consecrated to His cause. These and 
all that pertain to them or that may grow out of them, had 
been entrusted to the divine keeping. That new born creature 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 479 

that spiritual being, whose Father is God, was taken from the 
bull-rushes of sin and committed to the keeping of Him, who 
is more tender than a mother and stronger than a father. And 
though temptations might come like rolling billows, "deep 
calling unto deep/' yet nothing was able to pluck him out of 
the Father's hand. And his body which had been buffeted 
and striped, which had been shipwrecked and imprisoned, 
which had toiled and suffered in order to make known the 
grace and glory of his Lord, had been committed to the same 
faithful keeper with full assurance that it would be sustained 
under all future trials and sufferings, and that when the hour 
of his departure should come, it would be coffined in the heart 
of Him who has power over death, who is the "resurrection 
and the life." And when Christ who is his life shall appear 
he shall also appear with Him in glory. As with the Apostle, 
so with the stately form which lies before us. Though chilled 
by the cold breath of monster death, yet he who is the resur- 
rection, will restore warmth and life and give glory. "When 
he shall appear we shall be like Him." "Our vile bodies shall 
be fashioned like unto his glorious body." 

"Against that day." That glorious resurrection day! 
That day when the graves and the sea and every hiding place 
shall give up their dead ! That day when disembodied spirits 
and glorified bodies shall be reunited! That day when the 
pious ones of scattered families shall strike hands in glory ! 
That day when the living shall be changed to be conformed, 
to the bodies of the risen dead that all may be caught up 
together to meet the Lord in the air! Among that vast 
throng of glorified ones will appear our friend and father, our 
loved one whom we lament to-day. 

Waco is in sackcloth to-day, and Texas is weeping. No 
wonder when the sad news of Dr. Burleson's death is whis- 
pered from house to house and from ear to ear, that sadness 
and gloom settles over the entire city. In private homes and 
business houses, in shops and on the streets, in railroad circles 
and indeed everywhere men bow in sorrow and reverence 
under this sad dispensation of an inscrutable providence. 

Those who here in the early days of Waco's history know 
by actual observation and participation that by forty years of 
arduous toil, sacrifice, intelligent direction, wise management, 



480 The Life and Writings of 

and unswerving devotion to a purpose Dr. Burleson has lead 
in making or has made this city the Athens of Texas, and a 
business center that need not be ashamed. All Texas has been 
the recipient of blessings from his life and labors. Sermons 
preached, churches constituted, souls saved, who can estimate 
these which are scattered all over this broad state. Educated 
men and women who have gone out all over the state, in all 
the honorable walks of life, carrying light, learning and piety, 
are instances of his useful life. He was among the first to 
advocate the building of railroads in Texas. His prescience 
revealed to him advantages to the companies, to the people 
and to the state government. By talking, writing and speak- 
ing he aided greatly in awakening an interest that set rolling 
stock in motion and has increased until Texas has become a 
great railway empire within herself. Though not a capitalist, 
he was early taken into the counsels of those who woald build 
railroads, and his wisdom was recognized by all. 

But that which attracted most attention to his useful life 
was his interest in higher learning and in this .line Baylor 
University is his monument, and no man will ever be able to 
take his crown. His interest in general education is attested 
by his fidelity to his trust as agent of the Peabody fund. Dr. 
Burleson while towering among the intellectual giants of his 
day, was not oblivious to the minor details of life. His esti- 
mate of personal friendship rendered it dishonorable in any 
one and impossible to himself to abandon a friend, unless 
driven by the infidelity of a faithless friend to higher ground. 
It is one of the greatest pleasures of my life to have been his 
friend, and one of the highest honors of my life to have had 
his friendship. 

Just a word of Dr. Burleson as a public speaker. While 
his flights of oratory were sometimes high and always beauti- 
ful and pleasing, he was irresistibly logical. True the links 
might not always be traced but the connections were patent. 

The worm may start from the summit of a mole hill, 
-descend its side and cross the space intervening between it, and 
its neighboring mole hill and ascend the latter, and you can 
trace his course, through the dust the whole length of his 
journey. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 481 

The eagle perched upon some lofty peak, spreads his 
pinions for his lofty flight, and rests again npon a neighboring 
peak. You see him here, now there. But his course through 
the air is trackless. 

Dr. Burleson's logic was not as the crawling worm, but 
as the lofty eagle. His flight was elevated, his links were 
long and his chain was irresistible. 

A good and true man has gone to his reward and may 
the Holy Spirit comfort us and strengthen us while we pre- 
pare to meet him in Glory. Amen. 



ADDRESS OF DR. S. J. ANDEKSOK 

"Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man 
fallen this day in Israel." 2 Sam. 3 :38. 

Language is entirely too meagre to give expression to the 
feelings on such an occasion as this. When one has been 
closely associated for scores of years with a man so great, so 
good, so eminently useful, and then realizes that forever, as 
far as this earthly existence is concerned, such associations is 
at an end, he can find no words to express the emotions which 
burn in his bosom and completely overmaster him. 

Men are constantly dying, and no great loss is felt. The 
hurt is local, but when a great man falls the world is bereaved. 
When God endows a man in brain and heart above his fellows, 
when He lays his hand on him, the man becomes a man of 
destiny. Such a man was Moses, the great jurist and states- 
man. Such a man was Isaiah, the great prophet and poet. 
Such a man was Washington, the soldier and patriot. Such 
a man was Gladstone, the statesman and humanitarian. Such 
a man was Burleson, the great preacher and educator. 

When this grand man died his family and relatives were 
bereaved. Waco was bereaved as never before. Texas was 
bereft of her noblest son. The Baptist denomination was 
sadly bereaved. The world felt the shock when Burleson fell. 

The life of Dr. Burleson was a life of toil and sacrifice, 
a life of tears and prayer. His very, environments compelled 
him to make brick without straw, but he made them well. 

31 



482 The Life and "Writings of 

He has impressed his life upon the world. He will live on 
and on in the hearts of the ten thousand pupils who have 
received the inspiration from him. 

Among these are Jurists and Statesmen, Educators and 
Preachers, besides the thousands who, in the private walks of 
life, are treading the pathway in which he placed their feet. 

Dr. Burleson will never die. Through this great army 
of pupils, his influence will be felt until the Judgment Day. 

More than forty years ago, while a school boy, I met this 
great man. His hair was like the raven, his eye like the 
eagle. His form was erect, and his bearing was manly. The 
gentleness of the dove, and the courage of the lion were 
strangely combined in his make up. I was drawn to him as 
to no other man whom I ever met. Through life he has been 
my ideal of greatness and of goodness, and when it fell to my 
lot to name an institution of learning, which I was to some 
extent instrumental in founding, I placed what honor I could 
on this friend. The trustees offered to honor me with the 
name, but I felt it was more honor to me to give it a name, 
than that it should bear my name, hence I said, "No, brethren, 
we will call it Burleson College." 

On a hill one mile west of the Court House is Greenville, 
Texas, stands this beautiful building of brick and stone, three 
stories high, of modern architecture, and well adapted to the 
purposes for which it was erected. While generations pass, 
it will stand as a slight testimonial of the affection felt for the 
man, whom Waco and Texas is now honoring by this' mighty 
throng of citizens, who have assembled to pay this tribute of 
respect. 

He has left to his family a heritage worth more than gold, 
while a sense of inexpressible loneliness takes possession of 
them on account of this separation, yet their sadness is not 
unmixed. It will always be a well-spring of joy to them to 
remember that this beloved one lived for them, for his country, 
and for his God. That he fought a good fight and kept the 
faith, that he died in the harness, and that henceforth there is 
laid up for him a crown, and that in the blessed hereafter they 
will be with him again. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 483 

SPEECH OF SUPT. J. C. LATTIMOKE. 

(representing public schools.) 

It is my purpose in the few moments at my disposal to 
say a few words in behalf of the school children and the 
teachers of Texas, expressive of the gratitude due Dr. Burle- 
son for his long service as a teacher and of the keen loss sus- 
tained in his death. 

I first met Dr. Burleson nearly twenty-seven years ago. 
His kind face and gentle tones as he welcomed all of the 
children, drew me to him. 

I felt him to be my friend. There was a sympathy in his 
face and a tenderness in his voice that assured me that I need 
have no fear of him. 

During the greater part of the intervening twenty-seven 
years I have been intimately associated with him, and I have 
never had cause to reverse that first judgment. 

He was not only my friend but he was the friend of 
every boy and girl throughout this broad land of ours, and 
well may the school children of Waco and of every other 
school community in Texas let fall tears of sorrow to-day, for 
they have lost a friend. Dr. Burleson has been a friend to 
the Youth of Texas in many ways. Not only has he blessed 
those with whom he has come in direct contact, but by his 
influence upon our public school system his life has blessed 
thousands who never saw him. 

During the dark days of reconstruction, the public school 
idea met with bitter opposition by many of the best and most 
prominent men of Texas and other Southern States. It wa<* 
not popular then, as it is now, to advocate free schools, yet he 
braved the storm of criticism that such a course would bring 
upon him and fearlessly advocated, in private, from the 
rostrum, and through the press, a broad and liberal system of 
public schools. 

He did much to create public sentiment and popularize 
our school system. While giving his life to the great upbuild- 
ing of a great private school, he showed none of that narrow- 



484 The Life and Writings of 

ness and selfishness that so often cause men to oppose whatever 
promises in any sense to rival their own undertakings. 

He did much towards hastening the professional training 
of teachers in Texas. The founding of the Sam Houston 
Normal might have been delayed for a number of years, had 
it not been for his influence in securing a favorable recommen- 
dation from Governor Eoberts to the Legislature, and in get- 
ting a large contribution from the Peabody Fund, with which 
to supplement the State appropriation. 

Dr. Burleson did much toward effecting the organization 
of Texas State Teachers Association, and few men were more 
regular in attendance upon the meetings of this body, or did 
more to bring it to a high standard of efficiency. He was 
indeed a friend to every legitimate school enterprise, and no 
teacher who went to him for counsel was turned away for lack 
of sympathy. 

In many respects Dr. Burleson was an ideal teacher. He 
did not select the profession of teaching, simply as a means 
of earning a living, nor because he considered it an easy call- 
ing. There were many other vocations much more inviting 
to the youth, striving for the accumulation of wealth, and cer- 
tainly he could have chosen none in which the demand for the 
devotion of every moment of time and every particle of energy 
was greater. 

He selected teaching because of its opportunities for 
larger usefulness and greater good. And no man ever fol- 
lowed his calling more earnestly or adhered more tenaciously 
to his purposes. When other men had grown tired and had 
lain down to rest he toiled on with an energy that never 
flagged. When, discouraged by apparent failure, others had 
lost heart and had given up in despair, his keen vision pene- 
trated the lowering clouds of temporary defeat and gave to 
him a vision of glorious success that would ultimately crown 
his labors; and stimulated by such a vision his star of hope 
-seemed to rise higher and higher as darker grew the night. 
Though often weary, alone and unappreciated, yet he never 
gave up. In the school room his patience with those for 
whom he labored was often misconstrued and sometimes even 
abused, but it mattered not with him, he went straight forward 
doing what he conceived to be his duty, knowing that the 



Dk. Kufus C. Buklesox. 485 

abuse of the present would in most cases give way to appre- 
ciation and praise in the future. 

His private interests were always secondary to his profes- 
sional duties and were never allowed to interrupt his duties as 
a teacher, even though he suffered cruel abuse for this neglect 
of self. 

As he lies mute before us we may well ask : Was this 
all in vain? Was his constant zeal of no avail? Was his 
life squandered on the barren field ? Have the seeds he sowed 
perished or have they taken root, and will a glorious harvest 
of happy, intelligent, useful men and women be the result 
of his sowing? Though his physical frame now rests, shall 
he do no more work? Though his lips are now closed in 
death, yet is that voice silent? For reply we have to but look 
over this great state of ours and see men and women in every 
vocation who are more successful because of having come 
under his influence. !N"or is his work confined to Texas or 
even to this continent. In the land of the Southern Cross, 
and in the pagan fields of the far East his voice may be heard 
to-day inviting men to purer lives and eternal happiness. 

One of his intense earnestness, matchless energy, an 
indomitable courage must have accomplished much in even a 
short allotment of time. But his period of activity was of 
such long duration that the magnitude of the work he has 
done is truly amazing. Only eternity can show the full 
measure of the good done by such a life. 

"Long he's struggled, but at last 

Has come a summons from on high 
And his soul with angel escort 

Has sought its home beyond the sky. 

Then let the youth of this great State 
They whom he has died to save 

Ever with grateful hearts revere him 

And with flowers bedeck his grave." 



486 The Life and Writings of 

SPEECH OE M. B. DAVIS. 

(representing the press.) 

The prelate of the people, the noble old churchman, 
under God's appointing and by man's consent, who like a land- 
mark pointed inflexibly the way, who lived for his God and 
governed by that control which needs no arms, no cannon, 
no bayonets and no physical force, is dead as to the mortal 
part, but lives still and will never pass away. Dr. Burleson 
was a democrat in religion, a log cabin preacher, whose gentle 
voice went further than the bugle the warrior loves, than the 
drum the soldiers hear and to the tender music of his entreaties 
men yielded, not slavishly, but happily. By his mission he 
was uplifted, by his uplifting the people arose, mounting 
under his guidance to the higher plane where all is harmony 
and where all is love. 

It is customary on the part of eulogists to place in the 
background some of the faults of their subject, in order by 
contrast to brighten the vision of his greater life. In the case 
n£ Dr. Burleson he had no faults; that is the way I take it. 
Jonah rebelled, Moses halted, David offended, but this sub- 
lime model, patterned after Christ, his Master, walked fear- 
lessly without other guide. If there were apparently some- 
thing needing improvement he was better off without mortal 
admonitions, for then instead of man's correction his refor- 
mation came from the fountain head and each correction was 
of divine origin. As the body grew feebler the soul grew 
stronger, and thus it was to the end. In that hour when the 
seal was set upon those glorious lips of his, that immutable 
seal which none but God can roll away, he glowed in the 
radiance of eternal approval, and from his death-bed went 
forth rays which illuminated the world, which will beam with 
the brightest stars in God's own firmament. This old preacher 
was faith itself. Who knows what he saw when his white soul 
stood in communion, hearing only the commands of the King 
of his existence, listening as did Moses and Samuel to the 
orderings of Heaven, commands he faithfully extended to his 
religious constituency all over the alncl. I say this, Mr. Chair- 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 487 

man, and you ladies and gentlemen here assembled to do honor 
to our dead prophet, that the faults were absent, the virtues 
manifold and that eulogist will be nearest right who goes the 
furthest in the praise of Rufus C. Burleson, D. D., LL. D., 
the great educator of Texas, whose life was devoted to the 
noblest cause for which humanity is struggling. 



SPEECH OE PROF. "W. H. POOL. 

(representing old students.) 

"With bowed heads and sad hearts we gaze to-day for the 
last time on all that is mortal of the Christian patriot, the 
eloquent preacher, the gifted writer, and the successful edu- 
cator, Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 

I do but voice the sentiments of a large number of the 
ten thousand students whom this grand man has instructed 
during the last fifty years, when I say that under God, I owe 
more to Dr. Burleson, my parents excepted, than to any other 
person who has affected my life. As a verdant country boy, 
I was received into his school nearly twenty years ago. It 
was my good fortune to come into close relations with him 
during my entire college course, and during all the succeeding 
years I have loved him as a father. I rejoice that I did not 
wait until this solemn hour to first utter these words. He 
knew my devotion to him and I am glad that for many years 
I have been honored by having the affection of so good and 
so great a man. 

Others have spoken to-day of his great work in the Chris- 
tian ministry, of his service in the material development of 
his beloved Texas, and of his grand life-work. in establishing 
so firmly the great institution of learning which adorns the 
southern part of our own beautiful city. 

I pass these heroic achievements of this man of sublime 
faith in God, of indomitable energy, and of iron will, to speak 
for a moment of his wonderful accomplishments in an humbler 
and less noted sphere. In the interest of education he has 
visited hundreds of homes in Texas where he found in 
obscurity many of the most prominent and worthy citizens of 



488 The Life and "Writings of 

our state to-day. These visits have in very many instances 
changed the entire current of young men's lives, altered their 
family history, and set in motion forces that have wrought 
wonders in the destiny of our State. I speak of these soul- 
awakening visits of this gifted man from personal experience 
and I have heard others now on this platform testify to the 
efficacy and power of his presence in their own childhood 
homes. His going into every part of Texas in this manner 
ten, twenty, thirty and forty years ago, fired the young people 
with an ambition for higher and better things. These boys 
and girls came to Baylor University and from the instruction 
received and under the influence of this peerless man, with 
his burning lectures on "Jonah," "Elijah," "Ahimaaz," "The 
Little Foxes," "Be Courteous," "Study to be Quiet," and 
hundreds of other living glowing themes, they were so moved 
to noble deeds themselves that I challenge any teacher, ancient 
or modern, to exhibit a class of men and women who have been 
more successful in all the walks of life than have been the 
pupils of this mighty hero who lies there to-day in the habili- 
ments of death. 

In reality Dr. Burleson is not dead, he cannot die ! This 
immense audience, the largest I ever saw at any funeral, testi- 
fies that he still lives in the hearts of his neighbors, his brethren 
and his fellow citizens. His memory will ever be dear to 
the hearts of the masses whom he loved, and they will never 
permit his honor and fame to grow dim. So long as the 
flowers continue to bloom on our beautiful prairies will his 
memory be dear to all true Texans. So long as the spires and 
cupolas of Baylor University point heavenward, just that 
length of time will his prayers, his labors, and his unselfish 
patriotism be loved and cherished by the faculty and student 
body of the institution which, we trust, shall ever remain his 
most imperishable monument. 



SPEECH OE DE. ADDISON CLABK. 

(representing- sister schools.) 

"That I should be asked to say a word on this occasion I 
deem the greatest honor ever conferred upon me. Thirty 
years ago when I was a young school teacher with a small 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 489 

school, and Dr. Burleson was in the prime of his manhood, the 
leading and most popular educator of the state, he came into 
my school room, took me by the hand, sat down by my side 
and talked with me as though I was his equal. From that? 
time he has been firmly established in my warmest affections. 
The same large hearted, broad minded man, he showed him- 
self to be when Add Ran University was moved to Waco, he 
was the first to extend the hand of welcome and has ever con- 
tinued the same unselfish, generous friend. How we all shall 
miss that familiar form, that well-known voice, that masterful 
life. 

If I should be asked to describe Dr. Burleson's life in 
one word it would be "Christliness." 



SPEECH OE DR. D. R. WALLACE. 

(representing faculty of 1851.) 

I have known the venerable distinguished man who lies 
before us cold in death for nearly half a hundred years. It 
is but meet and modest for me to premise that my powers of 
analysis and of characterization may have been at fault, but I 
think I knew Dr. C. Burleson as well as I am capable of know- 
knowing any human being except myself. My attention 
directed at our first meeting to his striking characteristics and 
his strong personality, I made him a study. Intimate associa- 
tion with him for some years I had abundant opportunity for 
this purpose. 

Though a many sided man it was not hard to understand 
him. There was no concealment about him. He wore him- 
self on his sleeve. When he was misunderstood, if he ever 
was, it was by small men of low ideals and selfish purposes, 
who, like Bunyan's man with a muck rake never looked up so 
as to catch a horizontal view of his altitude. 

What seemed most striking to one of the speakers who 
have preceded me was his "Christliness." That he was a 
christian man no one doubts. But if it be the proper thing to 
do to institute such a comparison I would prefer to say my 
conception of the man was, he was more like the bold, aggres- 



490 The Life and Writings of 

sive Paul, than the meek and lowly God-man, more like the 
f ormulator of our religion than its founder. 

This leads me to say his convictions strong, he was bold 
when they were opposed, even to defiance, but his opposition 
was never offensive. He could be all things to all men for a 
cause he had at heart but never to the sacrifice of principle. 

Of an ardent, hopeful temperament he hoped on, hoped 
ever. This characteristic conjoined with his unconquerable 
will and untiring energy made him an indefatigable worker. 
Of habits temperate to abstemiousness and feeble in appear- 
ance, he was yet an iron man. As fixed in his theological 
belief as Jonathan Edwards, as untiring and indefatigable in 
work as John "Wesley, no difficulties of weather, men or devils 
disturbed him; no amount of work or suffering dismayed 
him in teaching, preaching and urging these beliefs upon the 
generation in which he lived. 

As to the loftiness of his ideals and the purity of his pur- 
poses there could be but one opinion. Eot Spurgeon's or 
Archdeacon Earrar's were loftier or purer. 

As to his methods, of course there was room for differ- 
ence of opinion. But in these he stands justified by the suc- 
cess that has blessed the labors, under the circumstances, of 
few men who have lived. It goes without saying he did more 
for the Baptist church and what he regarded as christian edu- 
cation, than any other man among his cotemporaries in Texas 
or even in the South. 

As a preacher, he is rather to be admired for his zeal and 
devotion than for the polish of his periods or the brilliancy 
of his rhetoric. A man of affairs and not of abstractions he 
regarded words as counters, not as coin, as said the great Eng- 
lishman, a means not an end. He did not affect oratory 
though few preachers were more effective, judged by the 
result. 

Much might be said of him as a teacher. In the short 
space allotted me I shall speak of but one attribute or char- 
acteristic, but in this he was facile princeps of all the teachers 
I have ever known and I question whether in this respect he 
had a superior. It was this : He had the rare gift of inspir- 
ing his students with an enthusiasm for learning and ambi- 
tion for distinction and usefulness that was simply unpar- 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 491 

alleled. He could make the dullest of them believe that if 
they could not reach the sun they could at least get to the 
moon. 

He has been criticised as carrying this to an extreme. 
At all events it leaned to virtue's side and made him largely 
the success he was as a teacher ; and I will add, in the thought, 
not words, Macaulay puts in the mouth of Milton in defend- 
ing Cromwell : "If none criticised his methods who had done 
more for humanity than he accomplished, he would have few 
detractors." 

Like Agassiz he had no time to make money — no time to 
think of it. There is much I might say on this point for here 
his critics consider him most open to criticism. But I will 
say this : He sacrificed the patrimony given him by a wealthy 
father, all he could make himself by his interminable labor, 
much if not all he inherited by his wife; nor is this all, he 
made himself a slave, a galley slave chained to the oar; nor 
is this quite all, he made slaves of his wife and children, de- 
priving them of the elegancies they might have enjoyed, and 
all in the service as he believed of his heavenly Master. 

Great, devoted, self-sacrificing, christian man, rest in 
peace. Farewell. 

SPEECH OE KEV. E. A. PTTTHUEE. 

(representing missionary students to foreign lands.) 

It is difficult to write or speak in a reasonably allotted 
space or time upon the life work of one so gifted and useful 
to his fellow men as was Dr. B. C. Burleson. But this is 
made possible even to one so incompetent as myself because 
of the fullness of the subject to be treated. 

The grandeur of his life can be made most profitable to 
those who view it from the following standpoints : 

As he was, as he is and as he is to be. 

There are few who leave to the human race the legacy 
of a life so full in all its bearings as to be viewed with profit 
from all these sides. But in Dr. Burleson we have a com- 
plete life, a peaceful sleep, with the rainbow of God's promise 
•spanning it all, amidst the brightness of which is written, 
We shall see Mm again. 



492 The Life and Writings oe 

"When we think of him as he was, in closest touch with 
everything that was good, lifting it up and helping it forward, 
we ask with anxious heart for the secret of such a life, and 
await with joy the coming of the book devoted to the thrilling 
narrative of a life so full and complete. For more than half 
a century he lived in closest fellowship with God, personating 
the character of the Lord Jesus Christ. In order to do this- 
he walked as he thought Jesus must have walked; talked as 
he believed Jesus must have talked; thought as Jesus thought;, 
acted in all things as Jesus acted; — in fact lost sight of him- 
self in order to make his life Christ-like in every respect. Be- 
ing thus "rich toward God" his life presented the paradox of 
being "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing," "poor, yet making 
many rich," "having nothing, yet possessing all things." Oh r 
the riches of such a life ! It is true gold tried in the fire. 
Therefore to see him as he is we must behold him "clothed 
with white raiment." 

Among his printed sermons is one from the text, "The 
path of the just is as a shining light, that shineth more and 
more unto the perfect day." With a master hand he paints 
the picture of christian life, letting in an occasional glimpse 
of the Glory world to cheer the pilgrim on his way, until in 
rapture he reaches the perfect day. He saw it then by faith. 
He is now enjoying that "perfect day" amidst the glories de- 
scribed in Eevelations. No one could doubt the reality of his 
present bliss as we looked upon his face "asleep in Jesus/ r 
yet smiling as if Heaven's wand had gently touched the eye- 
lids, closing them to the path of the just as the perfect day 
came in sight. So methinks, 

"When we hear the music ringing 
In the bright celestial dome; 
When sweet angel voices singing, 
Gladly bid us welcome home," 

We shall feel his dear arms twining 

Fondly round us as before; 
Hear his voice saying, Welcome! 

This is the other shore! 

Then with Heaven's light full upon him we can number 
the stars in his crown, "as one star differeth from another, so 
shall it be in glory," and know what he is to he. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 493 

Until then the stream of influence he put in motion must 
be our teacher. Dr. Burleson had few, if any, equals as a 
teacher upon the power of influence. In the providence of 
God the last sermon he ever preached was upon that subject. 
He had left home in answer to a summons from Horn Hill 
Baptist church to preach the ordination sermon of two Deacons 
on the second Sunday in April, 1901, and being anxious as was 
his habit through life to "give every flying moment some- 
thing to keep in store" sent an appointment to Groesbeck, 
county seat of Limestone county, for Friday night, as he 
would leave the train at that point for Horn Hill, distant six 
miles in the country, where he was to preach Saturday night 
-on Family Government and the ordination sermon on the fol- 
lowing day. Notwithstanding it was Friday night in a county 
site, he had a goodly number to hear him. His well won fame 
as a preacher always drew for him large crowds. But as I 
write I can but think, if the citizenship of the town and county 
had known what God knew, that it would be the last sermon 
preached by his honored and loved servant on earth, there 
would not have been standing room. But, alas! his voice 
comes to me as of yore, "There are three things that return 
not: "The word spoken, the arrow sped, the opportunity 
lost." 

As was his custom in the pulpit, he stood erect holding 
before him God's "Word, handling it with such tenderness as 
a mother would handle her precious child, reading in that 
clear full voice which belonged peculiarly to himself, from 
John 21. As was of this custom too, he read with glasses in 
hand reading from memory more than from sight — because 
he knew the Book. Then reverently and tenderly he bowed 
and talked to God in prayer as a child pleading with his 
Father whom he loved and trusted. Then he announced his 
subject, "Influence," and preached an expository rather than 
a textual sermon; showing the power of his subject in life as 
well as its fruit bearing power after death. He painted with 
wonderful imagery the two lines of influence, good and bad, 
one of which is constantly flowing from every life. The bad 
he followed up until it finds its echo in the voice of the soul 
"being tormented in the flames" as it pleads "send one from 
-the dead to my father's house, for I have five brethren there, 



494 The Life and Writings of 

lest they also come to this place of torment." Then followed 
a picture of good influence, until his audience could see anew 
the prophecy of Daniel: "They that be wise shall shine as 
the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to 
righteousness as the stars forever and ever" amidst the splen- 
dors of which stands "the Lamb of God!" 

Dr. Burleson is now enjoying the inflow of a long life 
of good influence — and the end is not yet. "With deepest 
gratitude I thank God that I was brought under his influence. 
Thousands doubtless who may read this will say, Amen. We 
will not forget the couplet in his annual family letter : 

" 'Tis greatly wise to talk with our past hours, 
And ask them what report they bore' to Heaven, 
And how they might have borne more welcome news." 

And when we change our citizenship in fact from earth 
to Heaven it will be welcome news to hear him say, "Home at 
last ! All safe in our Father's House !" 

Truly, "A good name is rather to be chosen than great 
riches." 



SPEECH OF E. P. ALLDREDGE. 

(REPRESENTING STUDENT BODY OF BAYLOR.) 

For the eighth time during the present session death has 
come to Baylor University. 

Enough to remind us that, 

"Leaves have their time to fall, 

And flowers to wither at the north wind's breath, 
And stars to set— but all, 

Thou hast all seasons for thine own, O Death." 

How unexpected came the death of our teacher, our 
friend and brother Professor Tanner ! The mystery of that 
death — so unforeseen, so untimely and so irreparable to the 
interests of Baylor University — is beyond the reach of finite 
minds. Grieved and disconsolate at the death of Professor 
Tanner, we were ill prepared for the shocking tragedy which 
carried away that splendid character, that noble teacher, 
Professor Schaus. But even this was not all. Only a few 



Ds. Rufus C. Burleson. 495 

days ago Miss Fletcher and Mr. Dotson, our fellow students 
were cut down as the flowers of the field. And now we have 
reached the depths. Our beloved and honored teacher, coun- 
selor, father in the ministry, hero of christian education in 
Texas, our venerable president emeritus, Doctor Rufus C. 
Burleson, is dead. 

"We longed to keep him with us. We prayed that his life 
might be spared until his last lingering glance should behold 
the campus of Baylor University crowned with magnificent 
buildings. But, 

"We leaned on hope that was all in vain, 

Till the terrible word at last, 
Told our stricken hearts he was out of pain, 
And his beautiful life had passed." 

Rich in honors and ripe in years the "grand old man" has 
laid down his armor and gone home to God. Our grief is 
inexpressible. Our loss seems almost irretrievable. !N"o more 
can we greet him as he visits the chapel exercises. No more 
will his dignified form grace our rostrum. !N"o more can we 
hear his words of counsel or feel the touch of his tender hand, 
the vital spark which gleamed in his eye and coursed through 
his veins has been kissed away by the angels of God, and the 
restless, persistent activity, which characterized his life and 
gave to the Baptists of Texas so great an heritage, has at last 
ceased. He rests. His weary body sleeps and waits the 
resurrection, but his works, they follow him on to eternity. 

Thank God! He was ours. His tireless energy, his 
studious habits, his self-control and masterful will were so 
many nuggets of gold which he graciously and unsparingly 
bestowed upon his students. And to those of us who heard 
his lectures to young ministers, how often did he appeal for 
holiness, prayer, the study of God's word, and blameless lives ! 

Hallowed be his memory ! Never 

"Fell the daylight's fading grimmer, 

On a face so wan and white, 
Brighter was his soul, while dimmer 

Grew the shadows of the night. 
And he died— and God was with him, 

Could I ask and could he give, 
Even now methinks I hear him 

Whisper, "Live as I did live." 



496 The Life and Writings of 

His patriotic zeal was always inspiring to his students. 
!No duty of citizenship was overlooked by him. The world 
looked upon, as we looked upon him, to behold a man in the 
image of his God. 

The intensity of his conviction, that he was anointed of 
God to deliver Texas from ignorance and sin, not only stirred 
his own great heart and moved him to sacrifice, but took 
possession of every student who came under his influence. 

Shall we now surrender this conviction because he is 
gone? Far from it! 

Let us rather remember how he loved Baylor University 
and how he loved us ! As the child of his bosom, as the wife 
of his heart he loved Baylor University and christian educa- 
tion, and gave himself for them. Then, when he could do 
no more, when he could make no further sacrifice and lay 
upon his couch waiting for his summons to some, he asked to 
be permitted to look out upon Baylor and pray God's benedic- 
tions upon her future. He fought a good fight, he finished 
his course, he kept the faith. Well may we say of him in 
the words of Father Kyan : 

"Never hand 
Waved sword from stain as free, 

Nor purer sword led braver band, 

Nor braver bled for a brighter land, 

Nor brighter land had cause so grand, 
Nor a cause a chief like he." 

May his mantle of love, of self-sacrifice, of devotion to 
the cause of christian education and of his heroic righteousness 
fall upon us, and may the Spirit of our God comfort and keep 
his bereaved companion and loved ones 1 



j * SPEECH OF MAYOK J. W. KIGGINS. 

[ (representing CITY OF WACO.) 

A great man has fallen. This community bows with 
sorrowing hearts to the will of Him who doeth all things well, 
and places to-day a tribute upon the casket of Dr. Burleson, 
accompanying that tribute with sincere heartfelt grief as it 
never has a citizen in our city. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burlesox. 497 

Dr. Burleson possessed peculiar traits of character. A 
great many men after a long, faithful, studied life of activity 
in one particular calling, no matter whether law, medicine or 
divinity, allow their minds to become prejudiced, warped and 
narrow into that particular department. This was not true 
of Dr. Burleson. Liberal in mind, public spirited in acts, 
nis great mind comprehended the mental, commercial and 
moral developments, not alone in the community, but in all 
Texas. 

In my position connected with the many enterprises in 
Waco, as well as in my present official capacity as the mayor 
of our city, I have received from Dr. Burleson letters and 
personal assurances of a deep interest in every enterprise, as 
well as the development, from a governmental standpoint of 
•our city. These expressions have come unstinted, and un- 
sought, as the outburst of a noble, G-od-born, broad spirit. 

We learn many lessons from such a character: First, 
that in any calling a liberal, progressive, broad, patriotic plat- 
form can be lived upon and successfully carried out. Second, 
that a man can be true always to his Maker, and at the same 
time take an interest in the things which materially affect the 
progress, success and development in a commercial sense of 
his fellow-kind. Third, "One thing will I do," says Paul. 
That this one thing was the ministry and in this he succeeded, 
calling the collateral influences and bringing them into line 
into a philosophical unison to accomplish one great purpose. 

The name of Dr. Burleson will be a monument, not of 
stone, marble, or granite, but in the memory of the citizens 
of Waco and of Texas and will lift its head from the memory 
of noble deeds from thousands of hearts and minds in Texas 
for cycles of time that shall roll by us until time shall be no 
more and we shall lash our memories and immortal spirits upon 
the shores of Eternity. 

A great man has fallen, and Waco weeps to-day, but 
such a spirit must receive the welcome plaudits of Him who 
realizes all. "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." 



32 



498 The Life and Writings of 

SPEECH OE DE. O. H. COOPER 

(REPRESENTING BAYLOR FACULTY.) 

"A great poet wrote on the death of a great statesman : 

'Were a star quenched on high 

For ages would its light 
Traveling downward from the sky 

Still shine on mortal sight. 

'So when a great man dies, 

For ages past our ken 
The light he leaves behind him 

Lies upon the paths of men.' 

"Immortality in fame has always been a controlling in- 
fluence in the hearts of the really great. God's call to genius 
is the service of humanity. In church and in state, in science 
and in art, in faithful service and in splendid achievement, 
the heroic soul serves in his day and generation. 

"A long life of heroic striving, often crowned by success, 
often dimmed by defeat, but always in the blaze of publicity, 
revealed our beloved and venerable friend as a grand man of 
lofty and noble soul. Such genius as his is a high trust to be 
used under God's guidance for the blessing of humanity. 
Men in all parts of our country to-day who give their lives to 
the advancement of truth and righteousness reverently accord 
to him a high place among the few immortal names that are 
not born to die. 

"I have sometimes thought as I looked upon his majestic 
and age-bent figure, when a rare smile illuminated his patri- 
archial face, that the light shining there was higher and holier 
than shone on Alpine heights, for it was reflected from the 
throne of God. It has always been an inspiration to me to meet 
and listen to Dr. Burleson. When I met him hrst twentyfive 
years ago, before the heavy hand of advancing years had been 
laid upon, I said to my mother, "There is a builder of insti- 
tutions. He belongs with Woolsey and Hopkins and Wayland, 
the men whose lengthened shadows are Brown, Williams and 
Yale." Our personal relations have always been cordial and 
tender. Especially has this been so since I have been called 






Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 499 

to assume the duties of president of Baylor University. He 
has honored me with fullest confidence and he has always been 
ready to aid with his wise counsel. Baylor University was 
enshrined in his inmost soul, second only in his affections to 
our Divine Master. 

"I shall never forget his last words to me uttered in the 
presence of his beloved wife and daughter in that now sacred 
chamber from whence he looked for the last time on his dear 
old Baylor and his soul passed to our Father's bosom. These 
words are a benediction — I little thought they were also a 
farewell: 'God bless you and yours/ he said, and added, 
after a pause made necessary by a difficulty in utterance, 
'especially the little baby girl.' 

"With tender reverence shall we cherish his memory. 
Generation will follow generation in the University he loved 
so well and each student will be taught to remember and 
honor his name." 



SPEECH OF W. B. DENSON. 

(REPRESENTING BAYLOR TRUSTEES.) 

This vast assembly has gathered here to pay its last 
tribute of respect to a great citizen. It is indeed fitting that 
not only "Waco, but all Texas should mourn the loss of this 
Christian educator and true patriot. Fifty years of arduous 
labor in Texas have made him pre-eminent among her proudest 
and most useful sons. And, looking backward over this event- 
ful period of Texas history, we pause in silent admiration of 
his splendid achievements. To make great and good men and 
women was the ambition of his life. 

Coming to Texas in the dawn of his young manhood, he 
landed at Galveston, and, wandering down to the seashore, 
knelt upon the beach, where he heard God in the murmuring 
sea, and prayed Him to give him Texas for Christ. "Who that 
has watched the career of this wonderful man from the time 
he first raised his clarion voice in the wilderness of Texas to 
the day he laid down his armor, as he preached from the 
Sabine to the Rio Grande, as he baptized men by the score 



-500 The Life akd Writings of 

every year, as he marshalled and led the Baptist hosts from 
victory to victory, as for fifty years he educated large num- 
bers of young preachers, who took up the shibboleth of con- 
quest and carried it forward, who sent out to the state yearly 
large numbers of young men equipped for the highest duties 
•of life, will not see in all this the answer of his prayer and 
the fulfillment of high destiny? When I saw Dr. Burleson 
bury General Sam Houston in baptism the question suggested 
itself to my mind — Which is the greater leader, he who leads 
embattled hosts to victory and death, or he who leads the 
chieftain and his army to God ? 

This great pioneer preacher, this indefatigable Christian 
educator, this great citizen, this friend of mankind, this 
noblest Roman of them all, has finished his course, laid down 
his glittering armor, and rests from his labors. He has gone 
to the Christian's reward. When on yesterday the telegraph 
wires carried the sad news of his death all over our land, the 
thousands whose lives he had blessed paused in the mad race 
of life, and with bowed heads declared it was a great loss. 
Fifty years of usefulness, of high endeavor, of wonderful 
achievement crowded upon our vision and passed in review 
before us. And here, my friends, we have met to do honor 
to this lifeless body — once the life temple of the old warrior. 
Here he lies, cold in death, with splendid honors and beauty 
clustering thick about him. I was proud to be called his 
friend, and prized his love and confidence, which for nearly 
fifty years he gave me. As Mark Antony said of Caesar, "He 
was my friend, faithful and just to me." Words beggar 
expression of how we all love and honor him; and to-day, in 
this supreme hour, we bring to him the loyalty of true hearts, 
and lay upon his bier immortelles, symbols of our fadeless 
love and his immortality. His name must be written upon 
every page of Texas. progress for the past fifty years. At 
every mile post in his long life journey there are recorded 
deeds of mercy, of humanity, of unselfish sacrifice and the 
loftiest devotion to duty. He has had part in shaping the 
-characters and destiny of thousands of the most useful men 
and women of our great state. Matchless in his energies 
and courage, he halted at no obstacles in his grand forward 
movement in behalf of Christian education. Baylor Uni- 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 501 

versity stands the imperishable monument to his life work. 
The forces he set in motion through that institution will 
only be revealed to us in the great unf oldings of eternity. 

But his work is finished. The Master has called to the 
old hero and said: "It is enough; come up higher." His 
spirit has gone to meet on the blissful shore a great host 
whom he led to God. We stand to-day with uncovered heads 
around his open grave, and lay to rest the lifeless body of 
this veteran Christian soldier. Around him here are gray- 
haired veterans, distinguished in the highest callings of life,, 
whose education was the work of his hands. They will all 
miss him. Texas will miss him. The educators of America 
will miss him. His foot-prints will remain with Texas as 
long as the flowers bloom and the grass grows upon her 
prairies. He has gone to the brightest joys heaven can give. 
He will wear the jeweled crown, and heaven will ring out, 
"He loved his fellowmen." 

I am directed by the Board of Trustees of Baylor Uni- 
versity to present here and now the following resolutions, 
as expressing their appreciation of his long and faithful labors 
and the deep sense of the great loss we have sustained in 
the death of Dr. Burleson. 



RESOLUTIONS OF BAYLOR TRUSTEES. 

Dr. Rufus C. Burleson, President Emeritus of Baylor 
University, is dead. In his own home, surrounded by 
kindred and friends, he quietly passed away at 3 a. m., May 
14th, 1901, having reached the advanced age of seventy- 
seven (77) years, nine (9) months and seven (7) days. 

When a father in Israel passes away — when a personage 
in religious history and denominational life is called from 
the activities of earthly labor to heavenly rest — it is becom- 
ing that some suitable historic record of the occasion voice 
the appreciation of surviving friends and co-laborers, attest 
the value of his life, and memorialize posterity to lay to 
heart the characteristics which made that life valuable. 

An outline of the salient events of a finished life prop- 
erly introduces a statement of its most profitable lessons : 



502 The Life akd Writings of 

Rufus C. Burleson, D. D., LL. D., son of Jonathan 
Burleson, was born near Decatur, in Morgan County, Ala- 
bama, August 7th, 1823. He professed conversion on the 
21st of April, 1839, and was baptized the following Sunday 
by Rev. William Henry Holcombe. Oftentimes in early 
life he referred to the dimness and smallness of his first hope 
in Christ, and the spiritual struggles with doubt, before his 
hope was fully confirmed and his faith assured, thus making 
his own experience contribute to the consolation and en- 
couragement of timid and hesitating saints. 

Quite early in life his ambition was to attain to emi- 
nence in law and statesmanship. But in 1840, while a 
student in Nashville University, he was seized with a master- 
ing conviction to become a preacher of the Gospel. Yielding 
to mis conviction, he was licensed to preach December 12th, 
1840, by the First Baptist Church of Nashville, then under 
the pastoral care of the famous Dr. R. B. C. Howell. Thus, 
at the early age of seventeen years, he began his public min- 
istry, while still prosecuting his collegiate studies. 

On June 8th, 1845, he was set apart to the full work 
of the Gospel ministry by the Baptist Church in Starksville, 
Miss. Two years later he was graduated from the Western 
Baptist Literary and Theological Institute, Covington, Ky. 
Before his graduation he settled in his own heart once for 
ail, the field of his life-work, writing on the wall of his room 
the date and the purpose : "April 21st, 1847. This day I 
have consecrated my life to Texas." The heroic struggle 
for Texan independence, in which his own kinsman, General 
Edward Burleson, and his friend, General Sam Houston, 
bore such an eventful part, with the thrilling tragedies of 
the Alamo and Goliad, was well calculated to suggest and 
foster this purpose. Pursuant to this purpose, in 1848, he 
accepted the appointment of the Southern Baptist Conven- 
tion as missionary to Texas, and the same year he was elected 
pastor of the First Baptist Church at Houston to succeed 
William M. Tryon, a preceding missionary, who had died 
of yellow fever. 

From this date, 1848, his life has been a part of the 
history of Texas, and a still larger part of the history of the 
Baptist denomination in Texas. This very year was organ- 



Dr. Rtjfus C. Burleson. 503 

ized the State Baptist Convention, which as a merged and 
constituent part, survives in the present Baptist General 
Convention of Texas. For years Dr. Burleson held high 
official position in this state body of Baptists. 

After a pastorate of three and a half years at Houston, 
Dr. Burleson was called, June, 1851, to the presidency of 
Baylor University, at Independence, whose foundations had 
been laid in 1845. This presidency lasted ten years. In 
1861 he became president of "Waco University. In 1868 he 
assisted in the formation of the Baptist General Association, 
and he was easily the chief personage in this body from its 
organization until 1886, when, by consolidation with the 
State Convention, it became merged into the present Baptist 
General Convention of Texas. An important part of this 
consolidation was the merging of the schools into the present 
Baylor University at Waco, Texas, of which Dr. Burleson 
became president. 

In June, 1897, Dr. Burleson then being seventy-four 
years old, was elected President Emeritus, on full pay. Thus 
for forty-six years he was the active head of Texas Baptist 
institutions of learning. In this time he came in direct 
school touch with nearly ten thousand of the Baptist boys 
and girls of Texas, many of whom became distinguished in 
public life, and thousands of whom, now in widely scattered 
homes, bear the impress of his influence. 

In this long formative period of a new state there were 
many sharp controversies and denominational troubles, many 
raw experiments in denominational activity, many conflicting 
policies and measures advocated on which good men honestly 
and widely differed. It is unbecoming to this solemn hour 
to advert, by way of praise or blame, to the part borne by 
any man; but we may well pause at this earthly terminus 
of an eventful and influential life to inquire what things of 
the past are most worthy of preservation in memory, and 
what characteristics of the great and good man who is gone 
need to be uplifted before the eyes of the young people of 
Texas. 

1. Decision. From early youth he was always able to 
make up his mind and determine clearly and positively his 
own attitude towards any policy or measure. He never 



504 The Life and Writings of 

wasted his life in painful and prolonged perplexity at the 
forks of any road. He decided — one way or the other. 
Perhaps wrong sometimes, but at least you could always 
place him, being not in doubt himself, nor leaving others in 
doubt as to his whereabouts. 

2. Fixedness of 'purpose — after decision. He was not 
a reed, shaken by the wind. It was a favorite exortation with 
him: "Have one great life purpose. " Few of the boys of 
to-day have clearness of vision to determine a life-work, and 
then patient persistence to follow a single purpose for half a 
century. 

3. Courage. However much men might differ about 
some traits of Dr. Burleson, no man ever questioned his 
courage. 

4. Temperance. Quite early he determined to subordi- 
nate his body to the purposes of his mind. This involved ab- 
stinence from many things deemed pleasurable by young 
people. Moreover, it called for a positive power of high 
order, the regulation of life by fixed habits of sleeping, eat- 
ing, drinking and exercise. The self -prescribed regimen was- 
rigidly followed through life. 

5. Timely attention to social amenities. ~No matter 
how great his pressure of work, he would force himself, if 
need be, to observe the requirements of duty towards 
strangers, the sick or the afflicted. 

Had his life been devoted exclusively to pulpit minis- 
trations he would have been recognized in history as 
one of the greatest preachers of the age. As it was, thousands 
were converted under his ministry. While pastor at Houston 
he baptized Mrs. Dickinson, the celebrated "Heroine of the 
Alamo," and while pastor at Independence he baptised Gen- 
eral Sam Houston. 

But, as he devoted his life to Christian education, his 
fame must rest on his success or failure in this work. He 
was a profound student of human nature. He studied men 
more than books. 

The characteristics hereinbefore set forth forecast the 
power of leadership and administration. To great executive 
ability must be added the power to awaken dormant minds — ■ 
to stir up ambition and to incite to great achievements. ~No 



Dr. Rtjfus C. Burlesox. 505 

other man in Texas history has awakened sleeping youth in 
more homes than Dr. Burleson. In the woods, on the farms, 
in the prairies, he fonnd them somehow and kindled a 
quenchless fire in their hearts, 

Even more than this power he possessed, for however 
faulty his curriculum, however inadequate his buildings, 
however scant the apparatus, however impecunious the ma- 
terial resources, he did, though making bricks without straw, 
manage somehow to turn out successful men and women, 
who took high and honorable and useful places in life. So 
that the building stood the test of time and change, whatever 
faults and weaknesses characterized the rude scaffolding in 
its construction. If it be said such means and methods and 
resources would be futile now — then be it so. They served 
in his time, and none other were available then. 

Yet again, he not only believed in Christian education, 
but he meant the education to be Christian. To his everlast- 
ing credit, be it said, he never allowed his school to drift 
away from truly Christian moorings to be swept off on the 
Godless current of mere scholasticism. This tendency of 
endowed schools to sacrifice religion to mere attainments is 
everywhere apparent. Still more, in an age when schools and 
scholars counted it a mark of liberality and broadness to be, 
or appear, semi-infidel in teachings, Dr. Burleson never 
swerved a hair's breadth from that old-time simplicity of 
faith which has ever been not only the true orthodoxy, but 
the very power of God. 

"Well may we say of him : He was a patriot. He loved 
Texas. He lived and died for Texas. He loved purity of 
domestic life and the sanctity of the home. He was not a 
man of greed. Covetousness never ruled his soul. These 
are some of the things which made him great. These are 
the things to remember, now that he is gone. These are the 
great lessons of his life to hold up before our children. There- 
fore, be it resolved : 

1. That this report be spread as a permanent record on 
our minutes. 

2. That a copy be furnished to the family and the press, 

3. That the Treasurer be instructed to pay now to Mrs. 
Burleson the apportionment due her husband for the balance 



506 The Life and "Writings of 

of this scholastic year, and that we now vote her an appor- 
tionment of six hundred dollars ($600.00) for the next schol- 
astic year. 

W. B. DENSON, 
O. I. HALBEKT, 
J. T. BATTLE. 



SPEECH OF W. S. BAKER 
(representing old students.) 

The lateness of the hour and the few minutes given me 
to speak over this dead, silences much that I deeply feel; 
but if I had unlimited time I could not do him justice. I 
have known him from my earliest recollection. I lived under 
his roof. My boyhood was guarded by his prayers and en- 
couraged by his example. He was benevolent and benificent. 
Numbers know of his free maintenance and education of 
our poor young men. Every walk in the life of Texas 
attests this. He was a philanthropist. He stinted himself 
and family to serve his fellow-man. He lived a life of un- 
selfishness. He died a poor man. 

He was not a financier, but he builded untold wealth 
for others, for Waco. He was not a jurist, but his boys, as 
he called them, graced the highest courts in the land. He 
was not a soldier, but his boys unsheathed the bravest sword 
in the land. He was not a statesman, but his boys are fore- 
most in the forums of the land. 

He arose above all these. He was a patriot. Education 
was his fulcrum. He tutored our youth that they might 
serve our country and see our God. 

Oh! how he loved Baylor University. It was his 
handiwork. It was his dream by day and by night. Near 
unto half a century his tall, slender, bended form watched 
over it as tenderly as the mother over her babe, and in his 
last moments, when all hope of this life had gone, among 
his parting words he said : "Lift me up so that I can see 
Baylor." 

It was the last object his eyes rested upon beyond the 
confines of his sick room. He died at peace with the world 



Dk. Rtjfus C. Burleson. 507 

in the sight of God, Baylor, and that devoted wife who sec- 
onded his exertions in the cause in which he triumphed. 

Words are too feeble to extol the man who buried in 
holy baptism the immortal Sam Houston and the Heroine 
of the Alamo. He needs no eulogy. His monument has 
been erected — it is Baylor University. His name has been 
chiseled upon the hearts of his countrymen. 

Bear him away to Oakwood, where rests the remains 
of the great Richard Coke, the gallant Boss, the courtly 
Harrisons and hosts of other brave pioneers, who have already 
met him on the other shore. Such men were not born "to rot, 
thurst foully in the earth to be forgot." 

I see in the near future all that the lamented Coke once 
predicted, the statue of Bufus C. Burleson standing on Bay- 
lor's campus. 



RESOLUTIONS OF BAYLOR FACULTY. 

Dr. Rufus C. Burleson, the pioneer educator of Texas, 
the great preacher, the Christian patriot and citizen, has gone 
to rest. 

After several weeks' illness, surrounded by his family 
and friends, he peacefully breathed his last at 3 a. m. Tuesday, 
May 14, 1901. In his death there passed from our midst 
an historic character, whose work for education and religion 
In Texas has been significant and powerful for good. Dr. 
R. C. Burleson was born near Decatur, Alabama, August 7 r 
1823. He was of noble family and numbered among his 
relatives some of the ablest soldiers, statesmen, preachers 
and patriots of the South. He received his literary educa- 
tion in Nashville University. He took his theological course 
under the great Dr. E. G. Robinson, at Covington, Kentucky, 
and also did additional study in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Before leaving the Theological Seminary he dedicated 
his life to Texas, and in 1848, under appointment of the 
Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, 
he came to this state and for three years successfully filled 
the pastorate at Houston. In 1851 he was elected president 
of Baylor University at Independence, Texas, where he con- 



508 The Life and Writings of 

tinned for ten years. He and his faculty then came to Waco 
and established Waco University. It became a strong school, 
and in 1886 the two institutions just mentioned were united 
by the Baptist denomination and located at Waco, giving 
us our present Baylor University. Dr. Burleson was con- 
tinued as president of the consolidated school. From the 
time of his first election in 1851 he served actively as presi- 
dent for forty-six years. He was officially connected witk 
the university as President Emeritus to the close of his life. 

In view of his splendid efforts for Christian education., 
put forth during long years of heroic struggle, often under 
circumstances of the greatest discouragement, for his tireless 
devotion to the high ideals of true morality and for his- 
undying faith, in God, the present faculty of Baylor Uni- 
versity do express their highest appreciation. These noble- 
traits in his grand character held together the educational 
forces of Texas Baptists and gave to the state of his adoption 
a heritage more precious than gold. He was without doubt 
the greatest single factor that operated in all the earlier years- 
of the institution for securing the final and permanent suc- 
cess of Baylor University. 

He was the pioneer of co-education in the South. As- 
agent of the Peabody fund in Texas, under Dr. Barnas Sears,, 
he did valuable work for our state system of public schools. 
He was instrumental in the founding by the state of the Sam 
Houston Normal Institute. He was the chief promoter and. 
organizer of the Texas State Teachers' Association. 

We regard Dr. Burleson as a Godsent man. For more* 
than half a century he has been a pathfinder, a foundation 
builder, a master workman, whose labors have reached and! 
blessed every section of Texas. His students not only fill 
numerous positions in the humbler walks of life, but they 
are leading bankers, prominent lawyers, successful physicians,, 
cattle kings and merchant princes. His students wear the* 
judicial ermine, they preside over our leading state institu- 
tions of learning: their voices are heard in the legislative 
halls of our state and of our nation; they have occupied the 
governor's chair, and as teachers, preachers and missionaries 
they have carried his noble lessons around the globe. The 
ladies whom he has educated are among the grandest women 



Dr. Ruftjs C. Burlesox. 509 

of earth, and are now exerting a wide influence for good in 
their homes, in society and in the church. 

Few teachers of modern times can lay claim to more 
splendid results in awakening young men and women to lives 
of nobleness and usefulness than were attained by Dr. Burle- 
son. Measured by the unerring test of success he will com- 
pare favorably with the great men of any age or country. 

In his long and useful life, by his loyalty to truth, his 
prayerful Christian work, and by his great educational 
achievements, he has erected for himself a monument that 
mocks the regal splendor of perennial brass, a shaft more 
beautiful and enduring than Parian marble, whose summit 
pierces the very skies. 

As an eloquent and able preacher his clarion voice has 
proclaimed the gospel of Jesus to tens of thousands. During 
all the busy years of his educational activity he preached 
regularly, and few men have been more successful in the 
ministry than he was. 

In view of his great work for Baylor University, his 
wonderful success as an educator, and his glorious labors as 
.a Christian minister, be it resolved by the faculty of Baylor- 
University : 

1. That we thank God that so good and so great a 
man has been permitted to live among us so long, and that 
we have the privilege of enjoying the precious heritage of 
his labors. 

2. That we recognize fully the debt of gratitude we 
owe to his memory and great life-work in planting the founda- 
tions of this school on the solid basis of prayer and Christian 
watchfulness. 

3. That we pledge our efforts to perpetuating the great 
principles of Christian education to which he devoted his 
whole life. 

4. That to the noble Christian lady who has been his 
life companion since 1853, and who has aided so much in 
making his life a grand success, we tender our profound con- 
dolence in this hour of her grief and loneliness. 

5. That to all his family and loved ones we extend 
•sympathy, and assure them that we, too, are bereaved by the 



510 The Life and Writings of 

death of him whom we regarded almost as tenderly as a 
father. His memory will ever be dear to our hearts. 

6. That copies of these resolutions be spread upon our 
records, furnished to the family, and given to the university^ 
city and state papers for publication. 

Adopted by the Faculty of Baylor University at Waco r 
Texas, Wednesday morning, May 15, 1901. 



ADDEESS OF DR. 0. I. HALBERT. 

(HOME LIFE OF DR. BURLESON.) 

We stand with uncovered heads and reverent hearts 
around the bier of our most honored and beloved friend. Of 
him may be truthfully said : He was a great teacher; an elo- 
quent preacher; a patriotic citizen; a true friend; and among 
the very best fathers and husbands, that it has ever been my 
good fortune to know. 

I shall never forget when in the fall of 1869, a timid r 
bashful, country boy, I entered Waco University and for the 
first time felt the thrill of enthusiasm with which he always 
inspired every student's heart. 

I do not believe that Dr. Burleson ever had an equal in 
his power to inspire a burning ambition in the hearts of his 
students, for knowledge, and to do and be something. Not 
only did he inspire this ambition but by his friendly interest 
and great mastery of resources he opened up the way for a 
great number of young men, and young women to gratify this 
ambition. The ten thousand students that he has educated 
will all give him this merited praise. He was an eloquent 
preacher. 

I have seen the First Baptist Church crowded to over- 
flowing, held spell bound as he "reasoned of righteousness,, 
temperance and judgment to come," I have seen many a hard 
sinner, Felix-like "tremble;" and many, very many have I seen 
go forward and grasp his hand asking interest in his prayers- 
and promising to try and lead better lives. 

He was a patriotic citizen. His students were so indoc- 
trinated with patriotism that they were among the very first 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 511 

to join the army in the late war with Spain. All that knew 
the Doctor know how he showed his love of country by precept, 
by example and by every other way possible. "Dulce et 
decorum pro patria mori, dulce et decorum pro patria vivere," 
was his motto. 

A truer friend no young man ever had. His friend- 
ship was lasting. Once a friend always a friend. He fol- 
lowed them with a father's eye through all the vicissitudes of 
life, weeping with them in their disappointments and rejoicing 
with them in their triumphs. Many a friend owes largely 
his success to the influence of his ever vigilant friendship. 

~No old student ever offered for office that he did not find 
a way to help him, whether it be for Constable or Governor 
of the state or Senator of the United States. 

"No old student (the name of friend and student were 
synonymous with him) ever wanted a client in law or a patient 
in medicine that he did not think it was worth his while to 
aid such a student in getting it. 

~No old students whether men or women ever wanted help- 
mates, that Dr. Burleson did not help them, even to the tying 
of the knot. 

But what shall I say of his home life ? I shall speak that 
which I do know, for I was his family physician for over 
twenty years. Dr. Burleson loved his home and all that per- 
tained to home. 

Perhaps one of the most admirable traits of his character 
was his consideration of elderly people, and this practice was 
most admirably set forth in his tender, considerate and def- 
ferential treatment of that elderly lady (Mrs. Jenkins) who 
made his home her home for over a quarter of a century and 
till her death in 1896. During these twenty-five years, it is said 
that he never even for one time failed to treat her as deffer- 
entially and considerately as he would if she had been his own 
mother. Busy as he always was, he would take time to select 
from the many newspapers such articles as he thought she 
would enjoy, and go in person of a morning and read them 
with her or to her. If she were sick or lonely or dispirited 
he was always ready to go for the doctor, to encourage her or 
cheer her up in any way possible. In a few words his treat- 



512 The Life and Writings of 

ment of Mrs. Jenkins was as near perfect as it could be, and 
it could not have been improved on by any one. 

He was ever thoughtful, tender and considerate of his 
children. !N~o man ever loved his children more than he ; and 
this tender affection was as great towards his grandchildren as 
to his own. He was never too busy in his study to welcome 
in any little one of the family and speak a word of cheer. 

He was never in too great a rush at mealtime to take a few 
minutes to tell some thrilling incident or anecdote to point a 
moral or aid the digestion by a good laugh or pleasant mood. 
His children have a great heritage in the memory of such a 
father. 

But, perhaps, the strongest part of his nature was his 
love for his wife. This love had grown and developed for 
forty-seven year§, until it was the consuming part of his 
nature. She was indispensable to his very existence. When 
she was sick, "we are all sick," were his own words. 

One of his last expressions and one that expressed his 
sentiments towards her, as he lived for nearly half of a cen- 
tury, was when asked about the disposition of his worldly 
effects, he said, "I want Mrs. Burleson to be supreme." She 
was supreme in his heart's affection, supreme in his ideal of 
womanhood, supreme in his ideal of motherhood, supreme in 
his ideal of wifehood and supreme in all that he honored and 
loved in this world. 



DE BURLESON AS A MODEL TOR TEXAS YOUTHS. 

(contributed by w. b. denson.) 

Every ambitious youth has some ideal to which he 
aspires, and whose characteristics he would emulate. He 
sees in some heroic mould the model after which he would 
frame his life and fashion his greatness and usefulness. The 
lughest peaks to which ambition would climb sees there 
shining out against his sky some splendid hero who has risen 
:above his fellows and stands, the admiration of those upon 
the plains below. 

Dr. Burleson's life and character present to Texas youths 
a model without blemish, chiselled by an artist whose model 



Dr. H trims C. Burleson. 513 

was the very Son of God, who saw the lines of beauty and 
symmetry with clear vision and bold conception, and pre- 
sented a well rounded manhood, worthy the admiration of 
all men. Dr. Burleson was born and reared of wealthy 
parents. He enjoyed the benefits of a thorough education. 
"When he reached his majority he was well equipped for the 
lucrative professions and business callings of his country. 
But he turned his back to the siren appeals to his wordly 
ambition and gave his mighty genius and energies to the 
work of his Master. Friends pointed him to distinction and 
wealth in the legal profession, and contrasted it with the 
poverty and struggle of the ministry. But, with unfaltering 
faith and courage, with a devotion which laid his all at the 
feet of God, he mounted the chariot of a great purpose and 
moved forward. He left the refinement and ease of life in 
the older states, the endearments of family and friends, and 
came to Texas, where an almost untrodden field invited him 
to privations and struggles, as wpsII as to conquest and use- 
fulness. The daring enterprise which had moved men to 
these new, western wilds pointed them to fortune and lands 
rather than duty to God and obligations to their fellowmen. 
Houses of worship were few; Christian people were scarce 
and indifferent. But the young preacher had counted upon 
just these things. As John the Baptist, with a naming 
sword, crying in the wilderness, "Prepare ye the way of the 
Lord; make His paths straight," so this invincible man 
mounted the rostrum of this new civilization and unfolded 
the banner of his great Captain. His people were without 
organization; the few Baptist churches in Texas were far 
apart and weak indeed. But the triumphant success of his 
church and people, as shown to-day, tell us how well the 
foundation was laid is those early days for crowning success. 
As a minister he was sound in doctrine, eloquent, soul- 
stirring and persuasive. Bold and courageous in his work, 
he lost no opportunity for progressive policy, and defied oppo- 
sition wherever it crossed his path. His keen black eye, his 
jet black hair, his tall, commanding figure, his dignified and 
lofty mien, gave him a presence upon the stage which 
attracted all men to him. He soon became known as the 
John Knox preacher of this new land. A very few years 

33 



514 The Life and "Writings oe 

after Dr. Burleson came to Texas the finger of duty and 
destiny pointed him to a broader field of usefulness. Baylor 
University was a Baptist denominational school, located at 
Independence. About the year 1851 he was called to the 
presidency of that institution. Young, brilliant and thor- 
oughly educated, he counted the difficulties which had driven 
his predecessor from his post as of small moment. With 
courage invincible, he took the helm of this institution of 
Christian education, and added the role of Educator to that 
of the Preacher. His splendid executive ability and bold 
leadership here found opportunity for the highest develop- 
ment. His courage and faith inspired the friends of the 
university to supreme effort, and it soon moved forward with 
imperial tread. Its president was not only the leading spirit 
in his religious denomination in Texas, but he soon became 
the personal friend and domestic counsellor of thousands. I 
remember well the first visit he made to our home in Eastern 
Texas in January of 1854. His gracious and tender bearing, 
his warm sympathy for boys, drew me quickly to him; and, 
when he mounted his horse and rode away, my mother and 
I watched him with keen interest until he disappeared far 
down the road. He had, in his short visit to our home, made 
two friends, whose admiration and affection for him were fade- 
less and undying. His magnificent executive ability, which 
made him master of the situation as president, and his keen 
perception of human nature, which gave him the key to all 
our characters and bent us to his will, made possible his loftiest 
ambition for the university. 

As a great educator and disciplinarian he not only 
attracted to him the people of our own state, but his rare 
powers of discipline gave him a national reputation. "When 
the question of hazing became a national one, when all the 
other presidents balked in their undertaking to suppress it, 
having heard that Dr. Burleson had never had a case of 
hazing in the university, they invited him to address them 
collectively upon hazing. This invitation he accepted, and 
delivered his address before a large body of college presidents, 
I think, at St. Paul, Minn. 

His history as a preacher is full of eventful interest 
and glorious success. In his early career, when full of mag- 



Dk. Rufus C. Burleson. 515 

netism and fire, at times he moved his audiences with such 
mighty power that men and women by scores rushed to the 
inquirer's seat, and cried out, "What must I do to be saved V 
He seemed to have wonderful power with God. To him as 
a preacher we gave love and admiration not common among 
men. He was the ideal preacher, and as he thundered in 
the ears of his hearers the love of God, which passeth under- 
standing, he told them, too, of the wrath of an outraged and 
offended God. I remember to have heard him preach a 
sermon upon the Judgment, about 1855, the most wonderful 
I ever heard, and its terrors are with me yet. The little 
school house in the neighborhood of the poor was as good 
a place to him for preaching as the finest city church. His 
great overruling purpose was to move forward the standard 
of his great captain. He was a patriot of high order. He 
loved his country; especially did he love Texas. He loved 
her history as few men did; and it was with him a supreme 
pleasure to recount the heroic deeds of her sons, when 
"knighthood's flower" was upon her. He saw with prophetic 
ken the coming greatness of Texas, and bade his students 
prepare for the handling of mighty issues. He held up be- 
fore us Rome's noblest and purest men in the days of her 
proudest history. He portrayed the splendid characters of 
our early fathers and statesmen, and bade us emulate their 
examples. He took position upon one side or the other of 
every important public question, and gave his convictions 
uncompromising support. "Dulce est pro patria mori" was 
a favorite quotation with him. He was tenacious, unwaver- 
ing, inflexible in purpose, and though all the world was 
against him, if he believed he was right he could not be 
moved. His friendships were warm, generous, confiding and 
lasting. He drew his friends to him with "hooks of steel," 
and his name is to-day a household word in thousands of 
homes in Texas. May it remain fadeless as the stars, and 
his memory be cherished for the good he has done. 

Thus, as minister, educator, citizen, and friend, Dr. 
Burleson presents to the youth of this land a model almost 
without parallel. The young minister finds in him the ele- 
ments of beautiful and splendid success, an ideal of God's 
greatest workmanship and his blessings for faithful service. 



516 



The Life and Writings of 



The educator finds in him an ideal which draws him 
from disappointment, lethargy, ignorance and vice to the 
loftiest pinnacles of ambition and virtue. The citizen sees 
in him an ideal which makes the highest type of heroes, 
patriots and statesmen. Of such material Gideon chose the 
three hundred to rout a great army. 

While water runs and grass grows upon the prairies he 
loved so much, may his name and the good he has done be 
held in remembrance by a grateful people. 




DR. BURLESON'S GRAVE THE MORNING AFTER THE FUNERAL, WITH 
HIS HORSE AND PHAETON. 



PART III. 



CHAPEL TALKS 



BY 



DR. BURLESON. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 52 1 



CHAPEL TALKS 

BY DR. R. C. BURLESON. 



INTRODUCTORY NOTE. 

The following "Chapel Talks''" of Dr. Burleson are here 
reproduced with mingled feelings of hope and fear; hope that 
their power may be blessed again, fear lest cold type may 
wrong his memory. 

They will cause the strings to vibrate faster in the hearts 
of thousands of his old students who will be carried back to 
brighter days, hearing again the words that once stirred them 
to nobler aims and loftier ambitions. 

They will bring a flush of joy and pride to hundreds who 
will recall the very occasion and the very lesson that turned 
them from the downward path and pointed them to the better 
way. 

These "Chapel Talks" will cause a blush to mantle the 
cheeks of some, whose golden opportunities were allowed to 
pass unheeded. 

We fear the cold type, without the spirit, which can never 
again be instilled into them, except as a beautiful vision in 
memory's dream, may wrong the dead. 

No one can ever fully appreciate these "Chapel Talks" 
without having heard them from the speaker's lips. The occa- 
sion, the urgent need of the lesson, the pointed and direct ap- 
plication, the tenderness, the earnestness, the great, loving 
heart that was thrown into them — all were necessary to give 
to these lessons their power, whose influence to the full extent, 
eternity alone can disclose. 

But the Life Work of Dr. Burleson would not be com- 
plete without them. We give the few which follow, praying 



522 The Life and Writings of 

that the same God, who so richly blessed them in the past, may 
use them to stir noble impulses in the hearts of those who may 
have shown themselves deaf to every former call. 

If but one boy or girl shall catch a spark of inspiration 
from these "dead forms" it may be said as of old : "He being 
dead yet speaketh." 

—Editor. 



OUR YOUNG PEOPLE— THEIR DUTIES A3STD 
PERILS. 

I have spent fifty years in the school room, three in Mis- 
sissippi and forty-seven in Baylor University, and have in- 
structed over 8,500 young people; therefore young people are 
a part of myself. I think of them and pray for them by day 
and often dream of them by night. Their happiness fills me 
with joy, and their sorrows fill my eyes with tears. 

I feel constrained to warn them of some of the great 
duties and perils that beset their pathway. Remember, first, 
that this is "The age of the young people." There never was 
an age when there were so many societies organized and so 
many books written for young people. The Y. M. C. A., the 
B. Y. P. U., the Ep worth League, the Christian Endeavor, 
and Bible schools, and Christian colleges especially for the 
young, are girdling this planet with light and love, while 
good books cover the land and are borne on every ocean. 
Providence intends by all these agencies for our young peo- 
ple to prepare themselves for grander duties and destinies 
than the world ever knew, and they should be fully armed 
and equipped for their part in the world's great drama. 

For it is also a solemn fact that Satan, the great enemy 
of mankind, knowing the vast power and future influence of 
young people, is devising a thousand snares to capture them 
and make them his dupes and slaves. 

For, while God's people are establishing Y. M. C. A.'s, 
B. Y. P. U.'s, Epworth Leagues and Christian Endeavors in 
every town and city, Satan is establishing gambling houses 
and other houses of crime, and race grounds. He skillfully 
adjusts whisky shops and regular gambling houses for his older 






Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 523 

victims, but he is diligently preparing for our young people 
euchre parties, wine suppers (often in elegant parlors), with 
dancing and waltzing, and Sunday excursions. 

One of the fatal delusions of the devil is blending pleas- 
ure and amusements with sin, and thus concealing the deadly, 
downward tendency of his amusement, till his young victims 
plunge into the vortex of ruin. 

I therefore implore all young people to shun whisky 
shops, gambling houses, race grounds, as you would the sting 
of the scorpion or the bite of the adder. And every family 
should strictly quarantine against euchre parties, dancing and 
waltzing, as against yellow fever or smallpox. 

But if all Christian parents and patriots would provide 
at home joyful, innocent amusements for our young people, 
and spare no pains or money to make home the sweetest, hap- 
piest and dearest spot of earth, then Satan's fatal amusements, 
the bar-room, gambling table, euchre and wine parties, would 
lose their fascination. 

One special delusion of Satan in destroying homes is 
the same he used to deceive Eve and expel her from Paradise, 
Satan accomplished this by assuring Eve that if she would 
disobey God and eat the forbidden fruit she would become as 
a God. And now he tells her daughters that if they will diso- 
bey God and forsake their heaven-appointed mission as angels 
of the home and queens of the heart and quit caring for the 
helpless little ones, and become politicians and preachers and 
doctors, they will become "lords of creation." It is this terri- 
ble delusion that has converted home into a scene of strife and 
blood, and even murder, and has driven the children into the 
streets. 

Next to happy homes, I would implore all young people 
to seek good associates and good books, and also to select 
grand mottoes that shall be as guiding stars along the path of 
life. I praise God that he enabled me in early life to select 
mottoes which have guided me through life. 

My earliest great motto was: "Never do anything, 
never tell anything, never hear anything, never read anything, 
that I would blush to tell my mother." Second motto: 
"Thou, God, seest me." Third, "Have one grand life pur- 



524 The Life and "Whitings of 

pose. And to that life purpose, bend all the energies of my 
being," 



MOSES. 



In previous talks we saw the fearful mistake of 
Ahimaaz; running as a courier, before he got his message 
ready. And notwithstanding his great zeal and energy in 
outrunning Cushi and all competitors who waited to get 
ready, he was commanded to stand aside as a disgraceful 
failure. We wish, in our present talk to the young, to give 
an example of Moses, who spent long years of toil and sacri- 
fice in getting ready, and who made a grander success than 
any man who ever lived on earth. Moses, like nearly all 
great men, was born and educated in the school of adversity. 
He was born during the reign of the bloody Pharaoh, who, 
from jealousy of the wonderful increase and prosperity of 
the children of Israel, commanded every male child to be 
killed or thrown into the river Mle to be eaten by alligators. 
When Moses was born, his mother (like all mothers) beholding 
his exceeding great beauty, hid him three months, but finding 
she could conceal him no longer, but would bring ruin on her 
beautiful boy and herself, and whole family, she resolved to 
commit her precious jewel to the providence of Grod. And 
making "an ark of bullrushes daubing it with slime and with 
pitch," she then put the child therein (laden with a mother's 
tears and prayers) and placed it in the nags by the river's 
brink. His little sister Miriam stood weeping afar off to see 
what would become of her little brother. By the ever watch- 
ful providence of God, at this time Pharaoh's daughter, with 
her maidens, came down to the river to bathe, and seeing an 
ark among the flags she sent one of her maidens to bring it to 
her, and when she opened it the child wept. This touched 
her woman's heart, and she said: "This is one of the He- 
brew children, and I will adopt it as my son." And his little 
sister Miriam drew near and said: "Shall I call one of the 
Hebrew mothers to nurse him for you?" And Pharaoh's 






Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 525 

daughter said: "Go." She went and called the child's 
mother, and Pharaoh's daughter said : "Take this child and 
raise it up for me and I will give thee wages." The rejoicing 
mother took the child and nursed him and educated him till 
he was fourteen years old, and brought him to Pharaoh's 
daughter, and she adopted him as her son, to become the king 
of Egypt. Here we see the first grand step in the true edu- 
cation and preparation of every child for the battle of life 
which is at a mother's knee and from a mother's lips. The 
education of Moses would have been a failure if it had not 
been for his angel mother. I am always sad to see young 
children sent away from home to be educated. All the uni- 
versities of the world cannot give children the training their 
mothers can. 

Moses had this first grand step well laid and he was pre- 
pared for the royal college of Egypt to be trained in all the 
learning of the Egyptians, then the most celebrated nation on 
earth. And the Bible tells us : "Moses was learned in all the 
wisdom of Egypt, and was mighty in words and deeds." And 
the deeds and exploits of Moses as a general of the Egyptian 
army form one of the brightest chapters in Egyptian history. 
Moses remained in the palace of Pharaoh till he was forty 
years old and studied profoundly the spirit, strength and 
power of the king and his people. Erom the glorious lessons 
his mother taught him "he chose rather to suffer affliction 
with the people of G-od, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for 
a season." And while visiting his people and endeavoring 
to protect a Jew from the unjust and bloody treatment of an 
Egyptian he was forced to kill the Egyptian. Knowing his 
life would be sought, he went away into the land of Midian 
and sought refuge amid the mountains of Xebo and Sinai 
and found a home in the family of Jethro, a learned priest of 
Midian, and married his queenly daughter. There, ainid the 
majestic hills and beautiful valleys of Midian, he spent forxy 
years studying and mastering all the great problems of human 
duty, happiness and government. He often stood alone on 
the lofty summit of Mount Sinai, Mount 'Nebo and Mount 
Pisgah, communing with G-od and nature, and studying pro- 
foundly the great problem of human government and destiny. 
When fully prepared, by forty years' study in the wilderness, 



526 The Life and Writings of 

being then eighty years old, God appeared to him in the burn- 
ing bush and gave him his great commision, the grandest, 
perchance, ever given to man or angel. That mission was to 
go back to the palace of the bloody Pharoah and in the name 
of God to demand in person that he free the two millions of 
the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage. And when 
this demand from God was refused, to call down upon Pha- 
raoh and the children of Egypt, darkness, lightning, hail, 
pestilence and the ten plagues that desolated and ruined 
Egypt. And after inflicting on Pharaoh and the Egyptians 
the just penalty of the long and wicked cruelty to the Jews 
he was to lead the two million Israelites through the Red Sea 
and through a vast wilderness and locate them in the land of 
Canaan, flowing with milk and honey. And what is still 
grander, to meet the Lord of heaven and earth, face to face 
on Sinai's quaking summit, and receive from him the best 
code of laws ever known to man. It is a remarkable fact that 
the laws and writings of Moses are to-day more widely read 
and more profoundly studied than the writing of all the poets 
and philosophers of Greece, Eome, England and America 
combined. The laws of Moses are not only studied by the 
Jews all around the world, but by all Mohammedan nations, 
and by all the civilized nations of Europe and America. 
And when Moses had accomplished his grand work, the Bible 
tells us, his eye was not dim nor his natural force abated," 
though he was one hundred and twenty years old. And, 
having accomplished his glorious work, God led him up to the 
lofty summit of Mount Nebo, and there, amid the shout of 
angels, in a chariot of glory, he was carried to his resplendent 
home in heaven. Oh, what a grand and sublime lesson for 
all young men and young ladies on the importance of getting 
ready for the battle of life, and ending it in glory, as Moses did, 



ON JONAH RUNNING AWAY EKOM DUTY. 

One of the most common and fatal crimes of the human 
family is running away from duty. God has given us the 
fate of Jonah as a warning against this dreadful crime. The 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 527 

great. city of Ninevah, with over 120,000 inhabitants, like all 
cities when they become great and rich, became devoted first 
to pleasure, secondly to sinful amusements and thirdly to the 
darkest crimes. 

God saw the iniquity of Mnevah, and in mercy, com- 
manded the prophet Jonah to go and warn them of their 
certain ruin, if they continued to sin. But this duty, like 
many duties in this life, seemed so arduous and so perilous, 
Jonah shrank from it, and determined to flee away from the 
presence of the Lord into the great city of Tarhish, and going 
down to Joppa he found a ship going to Tarshish, paid his 
fare and went aboard. Like all sinners, he was blind to his 
real danger, and going down into the sides cf the ship was 
soon fast asleep. But, alas, he found, though he might run 
away from duty he could not run away from an omnipresent 
God. The Lord sent a mighty tempest on the sea and 
the ship was likely to be broken to pieces. The sailors cried 
mightily, every man to his God, but the storm raged on. 
They then threw overboard all their freight and wares. This 
shows the great calamity of keeping company with men run- 
ning away from duty or who trample on the laws of God. 
But the guilty Jonah, like guilty sinners generally, was ut- 
terly unconscious of the danger, and lay fast asleep on the rag- 
ing sea. The shipmaster came unto him and said: "Oh, 
sleeper, what meanest thou, arise, call upon thy God, if per- 
chance He will have mercy upon us, that we all perish not." 
The affrighted Jonah sprang up and saw they were all trem- 
bling on the verge of ruin. The sailors said, "Come, let us 
cast lots, to see for whose cause this evil is upon us." And 
so they cast lots and the lot fell upon Jonah. And let every 
young man and young woman who runs away from duty, 
know assuredly that his sins will find him out either in time 
or eternity. The sailors said, "Why hast thou done this evil, 
and brought this ruin on us. What shall we do unto thee ?" 
Jonah, deeply convicted of his sins, said with noble heroism : 
"Cast me overboard and the sea shall be quiet unto you." 
But with great magnanimity, the sailors shrank from hurling 
a man overboard into the raging billows and rowed harder 
and harder. But, alas, no man can escape the justice of God, 
and the sea still raged fiercer. Finally the sailors cast him 



528 The Life and Writings of 

head foremost into the raging sea. And the billows became 
calm as a May morning. The Lord, ever merciful even in 
punishment for our sins, prepared a great whale to swallow 
Jonah. "And Jonah was in the belly of the whale three 
days and three nights." Oh, what a time for prayer and 
fasting and repentance for running away from duty. Oh, 
that every young man and young lady that reads this ar- 
ticle may shudder at the great sin of running away from duty. 

But when the Lord saw that the repentance of Jonah 
was a Godly sorrow that worketh a complete change of heart 
and life, and that he would never again run away from duty, 
"He spake unto the fish and it vomited out Jonah on the 
land." The Lord again spake unto Jonah and said, "Arise 
and go into Mnevah, that great city, and preach unto it, say- 
ing, "If thou repent not I will come down and destroy thee 
with fire and brimstone, as I did Sodom and G-omorah." And 
all Mnevah, from the king on the throne to the humblest 
beggar on the street, repented and put on sackcloth and ashes 
and cried to Heaven for mercy, and the Lord heard their 
prayer. 

From this. great lesson I trust the young will learn the 
lesson that was deeply engraved upon my heart more than 
sixty years ago.. 

That it was a fearful thing to run away from duty, and 
that by the help of G-od I would never shrink from any duty, 
however perilous. I trust the young people will all learn 
and practice the same. If any, like Jonah, have run away, 
let them return to the straight and narrow pathway of duty, 
that leads to honor, usefulness and happiness on earth and a 
resplendent mansion and home in Heaven. 



DO THYSELF NO HAEM. 

ACTS, 16-18. 

I have selected these few remarkable words as a theme 
for my talk. These words were uttered to the jailor at Phil- 
ippi, who, aroused from his sleep at the hour of midnight, 
saw the prison doors open, and supposing the prisoners had all 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 529 

fled, drew out his sword and was about to kill himself, when 
Paul, forgetting all of his cruel treatment, cried with a loud 
voice, "Do thy self no harm." 

Time and space allow us to note only a few of the re- 
markable lessons suggested by these words. 

First, that man, with all of his self-love, should harm 
himself, is marvelous. But it is a painful fact that there are 
to-day ten thousand young men and twenty thousand older 
men in our land, who, during this Christmas, will need the 
voice of the mother, the father and the preacher crying 
aloud, "Do thyself no harm." 

And scores of them will commit moral suicide during the 
rejoicing days of Christmas. Let me, then, as an ardent lover 
of the youth, having' devoted fifty years to their instruction, 
point out faithfully and tenderly some of the ways in which 
young men commit suicide. 

The first and most common way is using whisky, or the 
intoxicating cup. The official statistics show that 60,000 
men, one-third of them young men, commit suicide every 
year by strong drink. And yet that same old serpent that in 
the Garden of Eden told Eve that there was no harm in eating 
the forbidden fruit is telling these young men, "There is no 
harm in a social glass; and it is so pleasant to the eye and good 
to the taste — governors, congressmen and fashionable ladies 
all use it." 

And though the loving voice of a mother and father 
and conscience all cry aloud, "Do thyself no harm," twenty 
thousand young men every year commit moral suicide by 
strong drink. 

Every man, old and young, should hear the voice of God, 
saying, in His Holy Bible, "Look not upon the wine cup when 
it is red, for at last it biteth like a serpent and stingeth like an 
adder." 

Another fearful means by which thousands of young 
men harm themselves and commit suicide is card playing and 
other games of chance. 

The mania of card playing, when it gets a firm hold, is 
just as fatal as intoxicating drinks. It harden? the heart and 
blots out all the nobler sensibilities of the soul. 

34 



530 The Life and Writings of 

The Holy Bible gives ns a mournful incident of this fact. 
In the case of the soldiers who sat down beneath the bleeding, 
dying Saviour and gambled or "cast lots" for His seamless 
robe. Though the sun blushed and hid his face from that aw- 
ful scene; though the earth trembled and the rocks rent, 
and the dead arose and came out of their graves, and the 
weeping mother stood there, yet these soldiers sat down on the 
trembling earth and gambled for that precious relic for which 
the loving mother would have given her heart's blood. 

I have known men who took the bread from the mouths 
of their hungry children, and others who have squandered in 
card playing money they had solemnly sworn to keep. T 
knew a noble young man to break the heart of his loving 
young wife by gambling away her father's money. And 
when dying she telegraphed him, "Oh, husband, I am 
dying; come home; I must see you before I die." But, being 
absorbed in card playing, he replied, "I am busy and cannot 
come." 

I know a learned preacher in Texas who has acquired 
such a passion for dominoes that when sent for to see a dying 
lady — a member of his church — he said, "I have a special en- 
gagement, and will come as soon as I can." But, alas, the 
lady died while her pastor was playing dominoes. 

All games of hazard, such as dominoes, checkers, etc., 
burden the heart and deaden all the nobler feelings of the 
soul, when played to excess. 

Oh, that I could speak in a voice of love and thunder. T 
would cry aloud, "Oh, young man, do thy self no harm; shun 
gambling and all games of chance as you would the bite of the 
serpent and the sting of the adder." 

I am rejoiced to see that our greatest generals have for- 
bidden all card playing in the army, and I pray God that the 
time may soon come when all gambling houses and all euchre 
parties may be blotted out for forever. 

A third means by which young men and young ladies 
harm themselves and commit suicide is by bad company. 
They can no more keep bad company and not be injured than 
they can breathe the air of yellow fever or cholera and not 
contract these monster epidemics. 



Dk. Rufus C. Burleson. 531 

When I was a pastor at Houston, I was called in 1848-49 
to visit the sick and dying with yellow fever and cholera, and 
though I used every caution and disinfectant that medical 
skill could prescribe, yet I fell a victim to these terrible dis- 
eases. When seized with the terrible crampings of cholera, 
the blood receded from my brain, and I fell blind in the 
street. But God is my judge, I would rather breathe the air 
infected by yellow fever and cholera than to associate daily 
with impure men and "fast women.' 7 

To all the young of our beloved Southland, I would 
cry aloud, "Do thyself no harm' 7 by associating with bad men 
and "fast women" in ball rooms, theaters, card parties or any 
place of impurity. 

Remember, also, that bad books and papers filled with 
obscene details of crime are the most dangerous companions 
on earth. They secretly, under the guise of literary taste, 
corrupt and ruin the morals of thousands of young men and 
young women. 

It should be made a penitentiary offense to print or circu- 
late any impure book or paper. 

An empty sack cannot stand erect, buc only the sack 
filled with precious grain. So young people to stand erect 
and walk in the straight and narrow path of purity, honor 
and glory, must not only shun these evils, but have their 
hearts filled with the lessons of purity, patriotism and religion 
as taught in the holy Bible and in the lives of our Washing- 
tons, Franklins and Lees. They should also breathe the pure 
atmosphere of the Sunday school, the church, the Christian 
association, and also the home and social parties of the pure 
and good. 

In this way they will do themselves no harm, but become 
the joy of fathers and mothers; the glory of our country, 
and at last secure a home in paradise. 



ABSALOM OR FILIAL INGRATITUDE. 

The history of Absalom, son of David, is a striking illus- 
tration of the fact that "all scripture is given by inspiration of 
God, and is profitable for doctrine for reproof, for correction 



532 The Life and Writings of 

in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect, thor- 
oughly furnished in every good work. No book on earth, nor 
all the books combined, so clearly point out every duty and 
every sin, and give such incentive to virtue and such restraints 
to crime as the Bible. And as "God in mercy and wisdom 
hath set the children of men in families" parental loving 
watchcare and filial affection are among the first and greatest 
duties of parents and children. Filial ingratitude is, there- 
fore, one of the blackest sins of the human heart. 

When God came down to earth and gave His ten great 
commandments from Sanai's quaking summit to the whole 
human family, He said in thundering tones: "Honor thy 
father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the 
land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." And the great 
Apostle Paul says this is "the first commandment with 
promise." Yet it is appalling to see how much filial ingrat- 
itude there is in the world, especially to aged and decrepit 
fathers and mothers. I wish, therefore, in my talk to portray 
the black and ruinous sin of filial ingratitude as seen in the 
terrible downfall and bloody death of the brilliant and gifted 
Absalom, the idolized son of King David. 

Absalom was a remarkable young man, mentally and 
physically. The Bible says, "In all Israel there was none to 
be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty, from the sole 
of his foot to the crown of his head, there was not a blemish in 
him." But, like all young people remarkable for beauty, 
especially if they are greatly flattered, Absalom was filled 
with mad ambition. He built a splendid monument and 
called it "Absalom's Place," to perpetuate his name and glory. 
He also prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to 
run before him. And Absalom, in his damnable ingratitude, 
sought to dethrone, and, perchance, murder his aged and 
devoted father. Absalom rose up and stood beside the gate, 
and when any man that had a controversy came to the King 
for judgment Absalom said, "thy matter is good and right, 
but there is no man deputized by the King to hear thee. Oh, 
that I were made judge in the land, any man that hath any 
suit or cause might come unto me and I would do him justice." 
''And when any man came nigh to do obeisance he put forth 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 533 

his hand and kissed them. And in this way Absalom stole 
away the hearts of the men of Israel." And after years of 
vile ingratitude to his loving father he marshalled an immense 
army of traitors to dethrone his father and seize upon the 
throne. David, though his heart was crushed and bleeding, 
marshalled an army to protect his throne and preserve law and 
order. "And as the armies went forth to battle the aged 
King stood by the gateside, saying tenderly, "Deal gently for 
my sake with the young man, even Absalom." The fierce 
battle was fought and Absalom and his forces were routed. 
And Absalom, retreating on his royal white mule, rode under 
an oak tree, and his long raven locks caught in the limbs and 
his mule running from under him, left him dangling in the 
air. And Joab took three darts and thrust them through 
his heart. The battle was over, and there hung the ungrate- 
ful son dangling in the air, pierced with darts. When the 
swift courier Cushi bore the dreadful news to his loving 
father he cried: 

"Oh, my son Absalom! My son! . My son Absalom! 
Would to God I had died for thee ! -Oh, Absalom ! My son 
Absalom !" 



THERE IS A TIME TO LAUGH. 

I will make this talk for the young on the manner in 
which we are to spend our days and occasions of rejoicing. 

Solomon, the wisest man that ever has lived or ever will 
live, declared "there is a time to laugh." But Satan, the 
arch enemy and deceiver of the human family, not only de- 
ceived Eve, the mother of the human race, and brought 
death and ruin on her and her posterity, but is still deceiving 
young people. 

Laughing is here used as synonymous with merriment. 
Let us mark some of Satan's delusions. First he persuades 
thousands that all amusement is sinful, and that all Chris- 
tians should wear long faces and never laugh. 

I shall never forget the rebuke a good old deacon gave 
me soon after I joined the church, fifty-eight years ago. As 
he passed by the playground at noon, he found me with some 



534 The Life axd Writings of 

other students in some innocent amusements, laughing heart- 
ily. He called me aside and said with the saddest counten- 
ance : "Rufus, my dear son, don't you know that you have 
joined the church, and that it is wrong for young Christians 
to be laughing and playing with these lost sinners? You 
ought to be weeping and praying for them." I told him I 
thought the Bible said there "Was a time to laugh and a time 
to mourn;" that I had talked privately to each of my young 
friends and prayed for them daily. But the old man, with 
tears, said: "My young friend, I am afraid that you were 
never converted." 

I remember a similar case in Houston some fifty-one 
years ago. A long-faced member of the church said to me, 

"I do think our brother is the best Christian in 

the world; I have known him five years and never saw him 
smile." 

Such delusions of Satan clothe religion in the garb of 
mourning, repulsive to all men, especially the young, and 
make them think that all amusements of life belong to the 
kingdom of Satan, and, therefore, if they have a good time 
they must seek it in the ball room, theater, gambling houses 
and saloons, or in roaming on the streets. 

Satan is, therefore, leading thousands of young people to 
ruin. 

To correct these delusions we should by precept and ex- 
ample teach the world, especially the young, that the Bible 
says, "There is a time to laugh," and that Christians are 
exhorted to "rejoice evermore." And especially every father 
and mother should study by all innocent amusements to make 
home happy and joyful to their children, so that every child 
will say and feel that the dearest spot on earth is home. 

In this way thousands would be kept from the streets 
and out of the pits of depravity. And every teacher, es- 
pecially of boarding schools, should seek by cheerfulness and 
social parties on holidays and picnics and other innocent 
amusements to break the monotony of school life. 

A hearty laugh is not only relaxing to the mind, and 
a preparation for hard study, but it is healthy for the body. 



Dr. Rufits C. Burleson. 535 

I have made it a rule of my life for more than fifty 
years to have a hearty laugh, if possible, three times a day. 
In this way I have enjoyed remarkable health, have not had 
headache for over fifty years. Excepting the epidemics at 
Houston, I have not had ten days' sickness, and yet I am, 
perchance, the only man that has preached the gospel to 
every town in Texas, with the exception of a few of the 
newly organized towns and railroad stations. 

But let it never be forgotten that a time to laugh should 
never interfere with any of the other and great duties of 
life, and whenever amusement is associated with sin, or injury 
to our neighbors, it then becomes sinful. 



THE CRIME OF PARENTAL PARTIALITY. 

I have selected for my present "talk to the young" the 
fearful crime of parental partiality. God in wisdom and 
mercy "hath set the children of men in families.'' Gladstone 
has wisely said, "the family is the bulwark and foundation 
stone of all true government and civilization." Therefore, 
whatever impairs the harmony and usefulness of a family 
is a fearful crime. A loving, happy and united family is a 
true type of heaven. And a divided family, filled with hate 
and jealousy, is a type of hell. Alas, how few real united 
and loving families do we find ! And how many divided, 
jealous, bitter families do we find, even in Christian 
countries ! Preachers and teachers are fearfully to blame 
for not pointing out the crime of family division and bitter- 
ness, and not showing how all families may become joyful 
types of heaven. The Bible that God has suspended as a 
bright lamp from His throne to guide us into all truth and 
duty gives us many great lessons and fearful warnings on this 
subject. We call especial attention to the sad history of 
Jacob's criminal partiality for his son Joseph, and the fearful 
misery and woe partiality brought to the family of even 
so great and good a man as the patriarch, Jacob. The Bible 
says in Gen. 37, 3-5, "Now Jacob loved Joseph more than 
all his children, because he was the son of his old age, and 



536 The Life and Writings of 

he made him a coat of many colors. JSTow, when his brethren 
saw their father loved him more than all his brethren they 
hated him and could not speak peaceably to him, and re- 
solved even to take his life." The loving father, not dreaming 
of the bitterness his partiality had kindled, sent Joseph, a 
lad seventeen years old, clad in his shining coat of many 
colors, on a mission of love to his brethren, who were guard- 
ing their immense herds in the land of Dothan. When they 
saw Joseph coming they said : "Behold, the dreamer cometh. 
Let us slay him and cast him into a pit and say some evil 
beast hath devoured him." But Reuben, more tender-hearted 
than the others, said: "Let us shed no blood, but cast him 
into this pit and say some evil beast hath devoured him." 
This he said that he might deliver him out of their hands 
and return him to his devoted father, and when Joseph came 
up with a heart full of love and joy they stripped off that 
coat of many colors and cast him into a deep, dark pit. What 
pen or pencil can portray the unutterable horror of that boy, 
weeping his life away in that dark pit? And no doubt bitter 
pangs were piercing the hearts of his brethren. But very 
soon a company of Ishmaelite merchants came by, going down 
to Egypt, bearing spices, balm and myrrh. Judah said, 
"What profit is it if we slay our brother and conceal his 
blood? Come, let, us sell him to these Ishmaelites." And 
they drew the weeping young brother out of the pit and sold 
him for twenty pieces of silver. The guilty brothers then 
killed a kid, and dipped that beautiful coat of many colors 
in its blood and sent it to their father, saying: "This have 
we found, know whether it by thy son's coat or no." And he 
knew it and said, "It is my son's coat. An evil beast hath 
devoured him, and Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces." 
And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sack-cloth upon his loins 
and mourned for his son many days, and all his sons and 
daughters rose up to comfort him. But he refused to be 
comforted, saying: "I will go down into the grave unto 
my son mourning." Thus Jacob spent seventeen years 
mourning on account of his criminal partiality for his son 
Joseph, and who can tell the heart-stricken grief of his guilty 
brothers when they saw their gray-headed father weeping 



De. Kufus C. Burleson. 537 

daily over his son, and who can tell also the grief of the 
unfortunate victim of his father's partiality, as he goes down 
to the dark land of Egypt as a slave, and is sold as a slave 
to Potiphar, an eminent official under the King of Egypt! 
As Joseph grows up to vigorous, noble manhood he becomes 
the victim of the basest passions of his master's wife, but 
nobly repels all her devices to entangle him in guilt, till 
finally, under her false charge, he is arrested as a guilty 
criminal and thrust into the dark dungeon. Here he lays two 
years in unutterable grief. But God, who ever hears the 
cry of the innocent, especially those who prefer death to 
dishonor, miraculously raised Joseph out of that dungeon 
and placed him on the throne beside the King and made 
him governor of Egypt. He also made him the savior of 
Egypt, and his father and his guilty brothers from the seven 
years' famine. Who can tell the astonishment and horror 
of his guilty brothers when they went down to Egypt to buy 
food for their starving families, but were arrested as spies, 
and when brought to trial they saw the magnificent judge, 
seated on the bench, clad in knightly robes, was their brother 
Joseph, whom seventeen years before they sold into Egyptian 
slavery. And they were more humiliated when, in nobleness 
of heart he forgave their crime and sent horses and chariots 
to bring his aged father and his brethren down to Egypt dur- 
ing the terrible famine. We see also a striking example 
of the crime of parental partiality in the case of David and 
his petted, spoiled son, Absalom. Parental partiality not only 
sows the seed of bitterness and strife in families, but drives 
many sons to dram shops and gambling houses, and many 
daughters to ruin. Many years ago my heart was deeply 
pained at this sad result of parental partiality. There were 
two lovely students, daughters in a wealthy family. One was 
remarkably beautiful and winning, and, like Joseph, had filled 
the hearts of her father and mother with partiality. The 
other was not ugly, as ladies are never ugly, but she lacked as 
much of being pretty as any lady in Texas. She felt sadly 
grieved at the partiality of her parents, and was discouraged 
and about to marry a worthless fellow who loved her money 
more than anything else. I approached her delicatelv and 



538 The Life and Writings of 

tenderly on the great mistake she was about to make. She 
said, with tears: "Dr. Burleson, I am miserable at home. 
My sister absorbs all the love and affection of father and 
mother, and I am in the way." And her life became a wreck, 
and the beautiful, petted daughter demonstrated the old 
proverb, "calamity always comes to a pet." We see therefore, 
why, Paul commands fathers and mothers, "Provoke not your 
children to anger, lest they be discouraged." But some will 
say children are so different in their dispositions and talents. 
How can we help loving the dutiful and brilliant and prom- 
ising more than the disobedient and stupid? The heroine of 
the Alamo uttered a sentiment on this subject that should 
touch the heart of every parent. 

When weeping over the wayward tendency of "the babe 
of the Alamo" she said : "I know she got all her bad blood 
from me." Let all parents, then, when weeping over the 
faults of their sons and daughters, ask: "Did they not in- 
herit all from me ?" Having witnessed so many sorrows, 
bitter strifes, and wrecks in families from parental partiality, 
T have often said: "If I knew there was one drop of my 
blood that loved my son more than my daughter, or my 
daughter more than my son, I would open my veins, if pos- 
sible, and tear the monster from his den and roast him in 
the flames." 

Oh, may our Heavenly Father inspire the mothers and 
fathers of our beautiful Southland to banish all parental 
partiality; to love all their children tenderly and make every 
family a type of heaven and a perpetual fountain of love 
to each other and love to God and our native land. 




PART IV 



ADDRESSES AND ARTICLES 



BY DR. BURLESON. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 543 



ADDRESSES AND ARTICLES 

BY DR. BURLESON. 



GENERAL SAM HOUSTON. 

ADDRESS DELIVERED BEFORE THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE MARCH 2, 1893, 
AT THE MEMORIAL SERVICES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH ANNI- 
VERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF GEN. SAM HOUSTON, AND THE 
FIFTY-SEVENTH OF TEXAS INDEPENDENCE. (THIS ADDBESS 
COVERS ALL THE VARIOUS POINTS OF GEN. HOUSTON'S EVENT 
FUL LIFE.) 

[By unanimous consent, Messrs. Rogers of McLennan 
and Henderson of Milam offered the following : 

Resolved, by the House of Representatives, That the ad- 
dress of Rev. R. C. Burleson on the life and character of Gen- 
eral Sam Houston, delivered before this body on the 2d day of 
March, 1893, be printed as an appendix to the journal of this 
House. 

The resolution was read second time and adopted. 

See House Journal, May 9th, page 1206.] 

At 3 o'clock in the afternoon of March 2, 1893, Dr. 
Burleson, escorted by Governor Hogg, Lieutenant-Governor 
Crane, ex-Governor Lubbock, ex-Governor Roberts, Hon. 
John H. Reagan, Hon. A. W. Terrell, Hon. J. H. Cochran 
and Dr. Waggoner, President of the University of Texas, en- 
tered the Representatives hall amid many cheers. 

After prayer by Rev. Dr. Dodge, Governor Lubbock 
arose and said : 

"As the oldest Texan present and the early and devoted 
friend of General Llouston, L have been assigned the pleasant 
task of introducing Dr. Burleson as the orator of this occasion. 
Dr. Burleson has given forty-five years of his life to the great- 



544 The Life and Writings of 

est and best interests of Texas. He was the early, ardent and 
confidential friend of Sam Houston. Under his preaching 
the old hero was converted and by him baptized. He is the 
oldest and most successful educator in Texas. From such a 
man you will now hear about the grand old hero of San Ja- 
cinto." 

Dr. Burleson then delivered the following address : 

Honorable Governor, Senators, Legislators and Fellow Citi- 
zens : 

The second day of March should ever be memorable in 
Texas history. On the second day of March, 1793, just one 
hundred years ago, in an humble cottage near Lexington, Va., 
was born Sam Houston, destined to become the Father of 
Texas, and the greatest General and statesman that ever 
walked on Texas soil or looked upon a Texas sun. On the 
second day of March, 1836, fifty-seven years ago, in a rough 
board storehouse in Washington, on the banks of the BrazOs, 
was born "the Lone Star Republic," destined as "the Lone Star 
State" to become the brightest star in the galaxy of states. 
Thus on the second day of March was born the illustrious 
sire and the beautiful daughter. You have therefore dis- 
played great patriotism and wisdom in celebrating this day, 
not for dsplay nor recreation, but to teach the rising gener- 
ation lessons of patriotism, and to fire their hearts with a 
burning love of Texas, liberty, and native land. In. celebrat- 
ing the deeds of our heroes we follow the example of the 
world's greatest philosophers, statesmen and nations. A 
great philosopher has said : "History is philosophy teaching 
by example." A greater philosopher has said: "History is 
God teaching by example." Our great Longfellow says : 

"Lives of great men all remind us, 

We can make our lives sublime, 
And departing, leave behind us 
i Footprints on the sands of time." 

Livy says: "Romulus, the founder of Rome — the mistress 
•of the world — was not only an actor of great deeds, but the 
greatest commemorator of great deeds the world ever saw." 
Greece celebrated in song, in poetry and on marble the hero- 
ism of Leonidas and the three hundred at Thermopylae, and 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 545 

every great deed of her sons. Therefore hundreds and thou- 
sands of Greeks looking on these monuments said, as Themis- 
tocles did, gazing on the monument of Miltiades, "That monu- 
ment mil not let me sleep until I have done some deed that 
will glorify Greece." And to-day England, "the Empress 
Isle" that girdles the world with her colonies, her commerce 
and her armies, surpasses all nations in commemorating the 
glorious deeds of her sons, both in peace and in war. When 
Macaulay, an obscure, scholarly man, wrote his essays, and 
especially his History of England, the first real history of 
England ever written, Queen Victoria made him "Lord 
Macaulay," welcomed him to a seat in the House of Lords 
and affixed a splendid salary for life. 

Colonel Henry Havel ock was an obscure officer in the 
British East India army, often ridiculed as "the praying 
colonel," but by wonderful heroism and generalship he routed 
the bloody Sepoys at Lucknow and saved British India from 
plunder and ruin. As soon as the glorious news could be 
telegraphed to England, Queen Victoria made him "Lord 
Haveloek," with a splendid salary for life. 

But a still more remarkable act of rewarding and com- 
memorating noble deeds is the case of Sir Samuel and Sir Mor- 
land Peto. These were humble carpenters and deacons in 
Spurgeon's church, but as soon as they displayed their won- 
derful genius in erecting buildings that added beauty and 
glory to London and rivaled the grandest monuments of 
Greece and Borne, Queen Victoria conferred upon them the 
title of Sir Samuel and Sir Morland Peto. 

But it is an appalling fact that our love for heroic deeds 
and devotion to our country and republican simplicity are 
being swallowed up in a greed for money, passion for display 
and scramble for office. I repeat, therefore, with emphasis, 
you have shown great wisdom in following the example that 
made Greece, Rome and England immortal. There never 
was an age or nation that so much needed the fires of patriot- 
ism and heroism rekindled as this land of Washington and 
Houston. Gladstone, the greatest statesman England ever 
produced, recently said: "The United States must be the 
banner bearing nation of the earth in civilizing and redeem- 
ing all nations." Yet every patriot heart bleeds to see how 

35 



546 The Life and Writings of 

fearfully our people and rulers are degenerating from the re- 
publican honesty and patriotism of Washington, Jefferson, 
Austin and Houston. Sixty years ago, the charge of corrup- 
tion and bribery was first made in the United States Congress. 
A patriotic senator repelled the charge as "a slander on our 
free institutions and a thing incredible in the land of Washing- 
ton." But alas, who now considers it a thing impossible to 
buy votes, office, and fat government contracts? The fact is 
we are fast drifting into the foolish pomp, extravagance and 
corruption of all declining nations. One young broken-down 
bogus lord or duke at any of our fashionable watering places 
will run a hundred silly heiresses and their more silly mothers 
crazy to wed a sprig of nobility. Our great hotels assume the 
name "Hotel Royal." Even our patent medicines and baking 
powders must add "Royal." Even our colleges have caught 
the contagion. A distinguished editor recently apologized for 
the blunder of a great scholar by saying "he is a graduate of 
an American college, and American colleges do not teach 
American history." All these appalling facts proclaim in 
trumpet tones the importance of celebrating the deeds of our 
own heroes and bringing our whole people back to the repub- 
lican simplicity, honesty and patriotism of better days. And 
next to Washington our Houston is the grandest type of pa- 
triotism and republican simplicity that adorns the pages of 
American history. A great New York journal says : "The 
life of Sam Houston is a grander theme for an epic'than the 
Iliad of Homer or the iEneid of Virgil." An illustrious judge 
and historian of Virginia has said : "Tf the colonial history 
of Texas and her heroes is ever truly written, it will rival the 
glory of old 'Virginia." But, my hearers, I am here to tell 
you a plain, simple story of Houston as he was and as I knew 
him, and not to attempt an epic or eloquent oration; and I 
devoutly pray that his example may fire a hundred thousand 
Texans to forget self and to live and die for the glory of Texas. 
General Houston, physically, intellectually and mor- 
ally, is a grand model for the youths of Texas. Even his 
vices and mistakes are fearful warnings to young men and 
statesmen. He was six feet six inches tall, and stood erect 
and stately as the forest oak. He weighed 215 pounds, solid 
flesh, had an eagle eye and broad, lofty forehead, blazing 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 547 

with intelligence. Indeed all nature combined to present in 
him a model man. He was descended from Scotch ancestors 
who caught the fires of liberty amid the highlands of Scot- 
land, and fought side by side with John Knox "for God, 
liberty and native land." The father of General Houston. 
was a colonel, and fought side by side with Washington and 
Lafayette for American independence in 1776. The mother 
of General Houston was remarkable for her tall, dignified 
bearing, lofty courage, and above all her purity, piety and 
maternal love. He was also fortunate in being born amid 
the sublime mountain scenery and gushing streams of grand 
old Virginia, the mother of heroes, heroines and presidents. 

Houston's father died when he was thirteen years old, 
leaving a widow with nine children, six sons and three daugh- 
ters. He therefore inherited the special blessing of being 
reared by a poor, pious, widowed mother, and compelled to 
acquire early the lessons of industry, economy, self-reliance 
and reverence for God. The heroic mother, seeing her little 
farm too small to rear and educate nine children, sold it, and 
moved to the fertile valley of Tennessee, and settled in Blount 
county, on the very border of the Cherokee nation. In this 
frontier forest home young Houston providentially enjoyed 
another great blessing, a good and great teacher. Rev. Dr. 
Anderson had just opened an academy, which afterwards 
became Maryville College. None but the truly great can 
ever realize the value and influence of a great teacher. King 
Philip, when "Alexander the Great 77 was born, wrote to Ari- 
stotle, the great teacher : "I thank the Gods profoundly for 
giving me a son to inherit my throne and splendid fortune, 
but I thank them more for giving me that son during the 
life of Aristotle, the great teacher, who can teach him to 
act worthy of his inheritance. 77 The orphan boy, Sam Hous- 
ton, found in Dr. Anderson a greater teacher than Aristotle. 
He did for him all that the greatest universities can do for 
students. He taught him, first, what to study; second, how to 
study; third, he gave him the books or the helps to study. 
He gave him first the Bible, the book of God, or as Byron 
fitly called it, "The God of Books. 77 He gave him next Bun- 
van's Pilgrims Progress, the Vicar of Wakefield, Plutarch 7 s 
Lives, Pope 7 s translation of Homer, Shakespeare, and the 



548 The Life and Writings of 

writings of Franklin and Washington. When forced by 
poverty to leave school and become a clerk in a country 
store, he carried his favorite books and pored over them at 
night by a pine-knot fire, and when forced by the tyranny 
of older brothers to seek a refuge among the Cherokee In- 
dians, in the family of old Chief Oulooteka, he carried his 
favorite authors; and when wearied with the chase pored over 
these rich stores of wisdom. He could repeat the whole of 
Pope's Iliad by heart, which no college graduate or professor 
of America can do to-day. How much of Houston's burning 
eloquence, profound statesmanship and common sense he 
learned from these authors, all can see. 

In addition to what he learned from these grand authors, 
he learned his first lessons in Indian character, which became 
of such priceless value to him in consummating his grand 
life-work in Texas. 

But young Houston's clothes wore out, and he had con- 
tracted debts that, as an honest man, he resolved to pay; 
and, like so many illustrious men, he became a "school 
teacher." His high reputation may be learned from the 
fact that he did what no other teacher dared do, raised the 
price of tuition from $6 to $8 a year for each scholar, one- 
third to be paid in cash, one-third in shelled corn at 33 1-3 
cents per bushel, and one-third in home-spun cloth. Though 
he charged this extraordinary tuition, his log cabin school- 
house was crowded, "for the regular session of twelve months 
in the year." Just as he had paid his debts, and was ready 
to return to the academy of his beloved teacher, Dr. Ander- 
son, the tocsin of war sounded amid the hills and valleys of 
Tennessee. Old England had invaded our shores in the war 
of 1812-13, and her allies, the Creek Indians, were threaten- 
ing desolation to all the frontier settlements of Georgia and 
Tennessee. A recruiting officer came to Mary ville, but young 
Houston alone was willing to volunteer as a private. All 
others wanted office. He said: "I fall into ranks and do 
my duty, leaving promotion to God and my country." 

On taking leave of his heroic mother, she placed the 
musket in his hands, saying, with the courage of a Spartan 
mother : "My son, take this musket and do your duty. Re- 
member, my door will ever be open to a brave son, but shut 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 549 

against cowards. I would rather all my six sons should perish 
in battle than one should be a coward." Young Houston, 
thus inspired, joined the army of General Jackson, who had 
already routed and driven back the Indians from Emuckfaw, 
and every stronghold except Tohopeka, or "Horse Shoe 
Bend," in the Talapoosa river. Here the brother of Te- 
cumseh and other Indian prophets had assured them the 
Great Spirit would come down with thunder and lightning 
and utterly destroy the palefaces. 

Thermopylae was not half so well fortified as Tohopeka. 
Here the deep and turbid waters of the Talapoosa river made 
a bend in the complete shape of a horse shoe, the only place 
of entrance being at the narrow heel of the shoe. This nar- 
row entrance the Indians strongly fortified with three rows 
of pine logs, skilfully arranging port holes in two rows. Be- 
hind these strong fortifications over two thousand brave war- 
riors were marshalled, certain of victory. On the 27th of 
March, 1814, Jackson arrayed his brave heroes to capture 
this last stronghold of the Creeks. He offered a prize of 
honor and promotion to the soldier who first scaled that 
terrible breastwork. As his heroes charged up in front of a 
terrific fire, scores of them fell bleeding and dying. Colonel 
Montgomery, the first to mount the breastwork, fell back 
dead, pierced with a dozen bullets. 

Young Houston was the second, calling his men to fol- 
low. He fell inside of the breastwork, pierced with an 
arrow. Levi Taylor, of Smithland, Texas, was the third to 
leap the breastwork. He raised up Houston and pulled the 
arrow from his bleeding wound. The young hero, though 
bleeding and almost fainting, joined the pursuit of the re- 
treating Indians, till he fell. General Jackson ordered his 
comrades to bear him to the rear. Just at that moment a 
fearfully dark cloud, charged with thunder, gathered over 
the battlefield, and the Indian warriors shouted : "The Great 
Spirit has come to blot out the palefaces." Again they 
rallied their desperate warriors in a deep ravine, and in an 
immense cave. The position seemed to defy all human cour- 
age, and to be certain death to every man who made the 
attack. General Jackson called loudly in vain for volunteers 
to storm this last stronghold of the enemies. Young Hous- 



550 The Life and Writings of 

ton, though bleeding and fainting, heard no man would lead 
the charge, and, as if nerved with divine energy, gathered 
his sword and called every brave man to follow. The furious 
warriors were killed or driven from their last stronghold^ but 
the young hero, in his second charge, fell, severely wounded 
in the shoulder. The sun set on more than 1,000 dead war- 
riors, and the last hope of the Creeks was crushed forever. 
Young Houston, who had gained the prize and covered him- 
self with glory, was supposed to be dying, and was left on the 
battlefield. Oh ! who can paint that sleepless night of suf- 
fering and horror as he lay on the bare ground and thought 
of mother and home, and prayed his mother's God to re- 
store him to her arms ? In the morning all were surprised to 
find that his unfaltering courage had not only vanquished 
the Indians, but death itself. He was borne on a rude litter 
to a rude hospital, and after long months of suffering, and 
journeying on a litter through the wilderness, he reached his 
mother's home. Her door, arms and heart were all wide 
open to welcome her hero son. But he was so pale and 
emaciated she could only recognize him by his brilliant eyes 
and forehead. 

The young hero had won the undying love and confi- 
dence of General Jackson and the whole army, and was at 
once promoted to the rank and pay of captain in the regular 
service. 

But his wounds were never healed permanently, even to 
the day of his death. After two years of surgical treatment 
by the most eminent physicians at Nashville, Washington 
and New York, he resigned his captaincy and resolved to 
study law. He entered the law office of the celebrated Judge 
Trimble, of Nashville, who told him he would have to study 
eighteen months before he could be admitted to the bar; but 
in six months he stood a satisfactory examination and was 
admitted to the bar at Nashville, the ablest in the Mississippi 
valley. Very soon he was elected district attorney of the 
Nashville district, and soon after he was elected attorney- 
general of Tennessee, with the rank of colonel. He displayed 
such brilliant talent and burning eloquence, that in 1823, 
at the age of 30, he was elected to Congress. Two years 
afterwards he was re-elected without opposition. In Con- 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 551 

gress he took high rank with such statesmen as Clay, Web- 
ster and Calhoun. 

At the end of his second term in Congress he was elected 
governor of Tennessee by an overwhelming majority. He 
was the favorite of General Jackson, the idol of the people, 
and without an opponent in the Legislature. His first term 
as governor was a brilliant success. He discharged every 
duty with the republican simplicity of a Spartan and the 
stern integrity of a Roman. To complete, as it seemed, his 
earthly happiness and glory, he married, December, 1829, 
a lovely, brilliant young lady, Miss Eliza Allen, daughter of 
Colonel Allen, formerly a member of Congress with Hous- 
ton, and one of the most influential families in Tennessee. 
The full-orbed sun of Houston's glory had risen amid poverty 
and gloom, scattered the fogs and clouds of his early youth, 
and from the bloody field of Tohopeka had reached its mer- 
idian splendor. He was adored by the people, and, as a 
favorite of General Jackson, it was confidently predicted his 
next step in glory would be the president's chair of the 
United States. But that brilliant noon-day sun suddenly 
passed under a total eclipse, and was shrouded in clouds dark 
as midnight. One morning all Nashville was startled and 
appalled to learn that the brilliant young governor, against 
all the entreaties and tears of friends, had resigned his office 
as governor, abandoned his wife, cursed the hollow shams 
of civilized life^ and gone into exile among the Cherokee 
Indians, 400 miles west' of Little Rock, Ark. 

Such a sudden eclipse and downfall was never known 
before or since in American history. The cause of this down- 
fall will never be fully known till the secrets of all hearts 
are revealed at the judgment day. Many of his devout ad- 
mirers, to vindicate him from the charge of fickleness and 
the crime of abandoning a public trust, declared that detect- 
ing his young and beautiful wife in crime, goaded him to 
madness and exile; but I have the highest evidence for de- 
claring before this august assembly that this charge is utterly 
false. As my old and beloved friend, Governor Lubbock, 
told you in introducing this service, General Houston and I 
were exceedingly intimate. He was converted under my 
preaching, and I buried him in holy baptism. Both of us 



552 The Life and Writings of 

were devout lovers of General Jackson and the American 
Union, as cemented by the blood and tears of our ancestors. 
Both of us hated abolition fanaticism and confidently believed 
that secession would result in the downfall of our beloved 
South. 

We often talked till after midnight and sometimes till 
two o'clock in the morning. General Houston was a firm 
believer in the augury of birds. He as firmly believed in the 
divine instincts of the eagle as Romulus or any of the 
Grecian or Roman philosophers and kings. One night we 
were discussing the subject until after midnight. Among 
the many marvelous proofs he gave for his belief, he said: 
"When I was going into exile I took the steamboat at Nash- 
ville, bound for New Orleans. That boat was delayed at 
the different landings taking in freights, and the brothers of 
Mrs. Houston, riding direct across the country, overtook us 
at Clarksville, Tenn. They came aboard, greatly excited and 
heavily armed, and said : 'Governor Houston, the manner in 
which you have left Nashville has filled the city with a 
thousand wild rumors, among others, that you are goaded to 
madness and exile by detecting our sister in crime. We de- 
mand that you give a written denial of this or go back and 
prove it.' I replied, 'I will neither go back nor write a re- 
traction, but in the presence of the captain and these well- 
known gentlemen, I request you to go back and publish in 
the Nashville papers that if any wretch ever dares to utter 
a word against the purity of Mrs. Houston I will come back 
and write the libel in his heart's blood.' 

"That evening as I was walking on the upper deck of 
the boat, reflecting on the bitter disappointment I had caused 
General Jackson and all my friends, and especially the blight 
and ruin of a pure and innocent woman who- had trusted her 
whole happiness to me, I was in an agony of despair and 
strongly tempted to leap overboard and end my worthless 
life. But at that awful moment an eagle swooped down 
near my head, and soaring aloft with wildest screams, was 
lost in the rays of the setting sun. I knew that a great duty 
and glorious destiny awaited me in the West." Besides, I 
hold in my hand a book written by James Guild, on the 
"Lives of the Eminent Men of Tennessee." In this book is 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 553 

a letter written by General Honston to his father-in-law, on 
the day of his separation from his wife. In that letter I read 
as follows: "If any man dares accuse my wife -of crime or 
say aught against her purity, I will slay, him." But while 
I have vindicated Mrs. Houston from crime, yet I am sad to 
say their married life and home was miserable. General 
Houston writes to his father-in-law : "Eliza knows that I am 
thoroughly unhappy," and Eliza declares, "I am too misera- 
ble to live." 

But this unhappy marriage and miserable home was 
only one of, the three causes that maddened the brain, 
crushed the heart and drove our hero from the halls of 
splendor into the exile in the wilderness. And as these three 
causes are wrecking ten thousand homes and driving a hun- 
dred thousand men to gambling dens, drunkard's graves and 
eternal ruin, I deem it due to the fame of Houston, and to 
so many crushed hearts and ruined homes, to discuss them 
briefly in this presence, and ask is there no remedy ? 

The first of these causes is unhappy marriages and mis- 
erable homes. The second is the abuse of "the freedom 
of speech and the press." Third, is the wine cup and saloon. 
These are the three eating cancers of our homes and civiliza- 
tion, and more destructive than cholera, yellow fever, and 
smallpox all combined. 

The first of these evils, unhappy homes, is most dread- 
ful, because it leads to all others. The immortal Gladstone 
has wisely said, "A happy home is the only safeguard and 
foundation of the church, the state, and civilization." Every 
statesman and philosopher knows these words to be true, 
and worthy to be written in letters of gold and engraved on 
marble. When every father, mother, son and daughter can 
say, "Home, sweet home, all the world I have slighted for 
home, sweet home," the individual, the church, and the state 
are all secure. But where there are no sweet homes all is 
rushing headlong to anarchy and ruin. Brutes have no homes; 
and when men have no homes, but only eating and sleeping 
places, they soon become brutes. Hence the first law of 
God, the church, and the state has ever been to secure happy 
homes. 



554 The Life and Writings of 

The causes of unhappy homes is clearly seen in the fall 
of General Houston. It was a marriage utterly wanting in 
congeniality, and only for ambition. The beautiful bride was 
eighteen years old; the bridegroom was thirty-six. She had 
been brought up amid all the elegancies of a fashionable 
home. He had been brought up ii? poverty, in the wilder- 
ness among the Indians, and had a loathing for th e restraints 
and shams of fashionable life. Colonel Allen had served 
one term in Congress with General Houston and admired 
him greatly, and was ambitious to see his lovely daughter 
become the wife of the Governor and the man who some day 
might be President of the United States. Two more uncon- 
genial hearts never joined hands before the hymeneal altar. 
The result was bitter disappointment, fault-finding, heart- 
breaking, and early separation. While a student in Nash- 
ville University I boarded with a cousin of Mrs. Houston, 
and he gave this among many illustrations of their domestic 
misery. 

He said: "One evening when cousin Eliza was worn 
out by fashionable dining and throngs of company, and was 
seeking a little rest, a fashionable gossip entered the Gover- 
nor's mansion, and she exclaimed involuntarily: 'Oh, yon- 
der comes that horrible Mrs. S to bore me to death. 

I wish she would stay at home or torment somebody else.' 
Yet she sprang up, adjusted her beautiful toilet, put on her 

sweetest smiles, and met 'the horrible Mrs. S ' with a 

kiss and protestations of joy at her coming.' 7 (This may 
seem incredible to some of my female hearers, but I give it 
as I received it.) "That night General Houston rebuked 
her sharply for such insincerity, and as the discussion grew 
warmer he said : 'Such conduct is nothing but base hypocrisy 
and lying, and unworthy the Governor's mansion;' which 
caused my beautiful cousin to weep all night." 

The second cause was the perversion of "the freedom of 
speech and the press," or the unbridled abuse of public men. 
It is a humiliating fact that hundreds of men feel it is one 
of the highest privileges of freemen to criticise and abuse 
our rulers. General Houston had just entered the canvass 
for second term as governor. His opponent was the dis- 
tinguished ex-Governor Carroll, who had served two terms 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 555 

as governor and was a candidate for a third. Scores and 
hundreds of men who had failed to get office under Hous- 
ton were clamorous for Carroll, and scores who held office 
under Houston, fearing that Carroll might be elected, were 
as silent as the grave. A thousand vile tongues and penny 
iscjribblers, envious of Houston's great popularity, turned 
loose on the man who had been the most popular governor 
of Tennessee. Every virtue was distorted, every mistake 
magnified ten fold. These slanderous tongues and pens, and 
especially the base ingratitude of friends, were to the sensi- 
tive heart of Houston terrible as the sting of the scorpion 
or the fang of the adder. Added to all these, some of Hous- 
ton's friends believed that Carroll would be elected. But 
there was a third and more terrible cause than even a mis- 
erable home and the fierce attack of politicians. That evil 
was the wine cup and the saloon. Wine suppers and treating 
in saloons had become a baneful part of political and social 
life, and the strong nerves and mighty brain of Houston 
were unstrung and beclouded by strong drink. His worst 
passions were aroused, "the whole course of nature was set 
on fire of hell." Under these terrible influences he fought 
a duel with General White and was challenged to fight Colonel 
Irwin. He was utterly disqualified, mentally, morally and 
physically to meet the duties and perils of the hour at home 
and abroad. ~No human being who has not studied pro- 
foundly their history or experienced their bitterness can form 
the faintest conception of the power of these three great 
eating cancers. 

King David, "a man after God's own heart," who never 
felt a tithe of the evils our Houston did, in bitterness of 
soul cried out : "Oh ! that I had a place in the wilderness, 
a place for wayfaring men ; Oh ! that I had the wings of a 
dove, I would fly away and be at rest." 

Who can wonder that our hero, goaded by these calam- 
ities, deserted a miserable home, abandoned his office as Gov- 
ernor, cursed the hollow shams of fashionable life, and sought 
refuge in the wilderness ? 

While we drop a tear for the fallen hero, let us not 
forget that these three eating cancers are today gnawing at 



556 The Life and "Writings of 

the hearts of hundreds and thousands of our citizens. It is 
an appalling fact that last year 1,750 divorces were granted 
in Texas. In one county there were an equal number of 
divorces and marriages ; and I hope another marriage will 
never occur in that county till the morals of the people im- 
prove. If Texas continues her downward course in infamy 
she will equal Chicago, where it is said that railroad con- 
ductors cry: "Twenty minutes for dinner and divorces.'' 

But, fellow-citizens, let us as Christians, patriots and 
statesmen, blot out these cancers. Let us place these three 
evils, more dreadful than cholera, smallpox and yellow fever, 
under eternal quarantine. 

First, let us educate our whole people to higher and 
profounder views of marriage. Let parents, preachers, teach- 
ers and statesmen all combine in this glorious work. Let 
us teach the people, from the cradle to the grave, that God, 
amid the bowers of Eden, ordained marriage for the happi- 
ness of man and the foundation of society. He declared the 
husband and wife should become "bone of one bone, flesh 
of one flesh, and blood of one blood." 

He commands every man "to love his wife even as his 
own flesh," and to leave father, mother (and office) and all 
the world for his wife. And each must admire the other's 
excellencies, bear with each other's failings, and love each 
other next to God himself. All marriages for money, ambi- 
tion or convenience are abominations to God and are legal- 
ized adultery. Nothing but congeniality of tastes and dis- 
position, ripening into undying devotion, can be the bond 
of marriage. 

All true love springs from the heart, is guided by the 
intellect and limited by conscience. Every young man and 
young woman should be profoundly penetrated with the 
conviction that marriage should never be entered into thought- 
lessly or from impulse, but from deep and earnest considera- 
tion and consultation with parents or guardian, and prayer 
to God; for the wisest of all men says : "A good wife is from 
the Lord." 

After parents and teachers and preachers have done 
their duty, you honorable senators and legislators, have a 



Dk. Ruftts C. Bukleson. 557 

great duty to perform by enacting laws to guard the sanctity 
of home, forbidding all runaway marriages, and punishing 
every violation of marriage with confinement in the peni- 
tentiary. Finally, amend the constitution after the model 
of grand old South Carolina, which utterly forbade all 
divorces. When all this has been attained our homes will 
be Edens of joy and the foundation of church and civiliza- 
tion, and our land will be the happiest that the sun visits. 
Let us correct the second grand evil by teaching our whole 
people that God says: "Thou shalt not speak evil of the 
ruler of thy people/ 7 and commands us to pray for all who 
are in authority "and honor them as God's ministers/' ap- 
pointed for the good of society, that "we may lead a peaceable 
life in all godliness." Let us teach our people that our presi- 
dents, governors, judges, senators and legislators are repre- 
sentatives of God himself and the sovereignty of the people. 
The man that reviles Governor Hogg reviles Texas, and he 
that reviles Grover Cleveland reviles the whole United States. 
In violation of these great duties to God and our native land, 
things were said against the Governor of Texas and the Presi- 
dent of the United States in the late political canvass that 
should cause the darkness of midnight to blush. 

While God and our highest duties as citizens may re- 
quire us to criticize the conduct of our rulers, we should do 
it with the courtesy due the representatives of the sovereignty 
of our beloved State and Nation. In 1872 I wrote over two 
hundred letters to beat Hon. E. J. Davis for governor, and 
yet I never uttered a disrespectful word against him. This 
indiscriminate reviling of our rulers, and utter want of re- 
spect, is fast plunging our nation into anarchy. I do not 
wonder that such slanders aided in driving the sensitive 
Houston into exile, but I wonder that they do not drive 
hundreds of others to follow his example. 

But the last great evil or eating cancer of our body 
politic is the saloon and the wine cup. I heard General 
Houston say, in a great prohibition speech, at Huntsville, in 
1848 : "The wine cup and the saloon were the causes of 
my early ruin, and they are to-day ruining more homes and 
young men, and more statesmen, than any other evil in 
America." And with a clarion voice he cried: "Mothers, 



558 The Life and "Writings of 

fathers, Christians, statesmen, rise up and let us blot these 
fearful curses from Texas and our native land." Oh, that 
the voice of our Houston could speak from his grave at 
Huntsville and arouse every Christian, every statesman to 
battle against these giant evils. And though I am nearly 
70 years old, I do not despair of our country. I expect to 
live to see the day when there shall not be a divorce, a reviler 
of public men or a saloon in Texas. Then Texas, from the 
Sabine to the Rio Grande, will be filled with the happiest 
homes, the noblest men and the purest women between the 
oceans. But while we drop a tear of pity for our fallen 
hero in his Indian exile home, let us not forget to rejoice 
that "God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to per- 
form; He plants His footsteps in the sea and rides upon the 
storm." The Bible declares that "He causes the wrath of 
man to praise Him, and the remainder of wrath He re- 
straineth." That Allwise Providence overruled the wicked- 
ness of men to prepare Houston to become the savior of 
Texas. His rude home among the Indians gave him a 
knowledge and power over the 30,000 Indians bordering on 
Texas that did more to save Texas than the battle of San 
Jacinto. That kind Providence wisely provided the exile 
Houston a "lodging place in the wilderness." As soon as 
the venerable chief of the Cherokees, Oulooteka, then 65 
years old, heard of his coming, he took his whole family 
and went out to meet him, and throwing his arms around 
him, said: "My son, I am glad to see you; I heard a dark 
cloud had fallen on your pathway of glory, and you had 
turned your thoughts to my wigwam, that had sheltered you 
in boyhood. I am glad. It was done by the Great Spirit. 
There are many wise counselors in your nation, but we are 
in trouble and threatened with ruin, and the Great Spirit has 
sent you to take away trouble from us." Oulooteka was the 
father of Bowles, a young Cherokee chief, that brought a 
colony to Texas and settled between the Neches and the 
Angelina rivers; but having no title from the Mexicans, and 
becoming a great nuisance to the people of Eastern Texas, 
he was killed and his people driven beyond the Red river 
by Thomas J. Busk, John H. Beagan, General Burleson and 
other Texas'heroes. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burlesox. 559 

General Houston spent three years among the Indians. 
He studied their character profoundly and gained their con- 
fidence as no other man ever did, except William Penn. He 
attended their great councils, but took- no part, except to give 
advice privately. But his righteous soul was so outraged by 
the frauds of our government agents on the poor Indians, he 
consented to go with their chiefs to Washington, to remon- 
strate against these outrages; but, alas, nothing could be 
done. "Too many of the jury had got a share of the beef." 
One of the secret and powerful advocates of these public 
thieves was Mr. Stansberry, a congressman from Ohio. He 
was so stung by the scathing rebuke of General Houston 
he resolved to attack him on the streets, and, perchance, 
murder him. For this purpose he armed himself with a 
pistol and attacked him; but with one blow of an "honest 
hickory stick," Houston felled him to the ground and left 
him bleeding and insensible. 

Fellow-citizens and Representatives — I am sad to say 
that two years ago I was one of an educational committee 
to examine into some frauds on the poor Indians by govern- 
ment agents and their allies; and I firmly believe, if all the 
money stolen from the poor Indians in the last fifty years 
could be piled up it would make a pyramid higher than the 
dome of this capitol. We found one sect had stolen over 
$2,000,000, and because the Indian agent, General Mor- 
gan, determined to expose these frauds, he was denounced 
by a thousand subsidized editors and orators. Oh ! that we 
had a hundred Houstons to scourge these thieves from our 
temples of liberty. But General Houston left Washington 
more profoundly disgusted than ever with the shams and 
political frauds of civilized life. He returned by Blount 
county, Tennessee, to visit his aged mother, and to receive 
her dying kiss. She threw her feeble arms around his neck, 
and kissing him, said: "Oh! my noble son, live for the 
benefit of man and the glory of God. Bad as this world is, 
let us strive to make it better. I pray God that you may re- 
member the curse on that man who 'buried one talent/ and 
what will be your guilt if you bury ten talents ?" The sweet 
odor of that dying mother's kiss and prayer followed him 
back to his forest home. Scarcely had he reached the home 



560 The Life a:nt> Whitings of 

of Oulooteka, when a government courier brought him a 
dispatch from General Jackson, whom he loved as a father 
and reverenced next to God. That dispatch reminded him 
that in removing the Cherokees, Choctaws and Chickasaws 
to their homes west of Arkansas, the United States had guar- 
anteed them protection against the plunders of the Com- 
anches and other wild savages. The President therefore re- 
quested General Houston to go to San Antonio, Texas, via 
Nacogdoches and San Felipe, and hold a council with the 
Comanches and their associate bands, and inform them of 
the plighted faith of the United States, and, if need be, the 
whole army of the government would be marshalled to protect 
the civilized Indians. No mission could have been dearer to 
the heart of Houston, and he set out with a small guard on 
a journey through the wilderness of more than 1,500 miles. 
There were but two houses between Fort Towson and Nacog- 
doches. As he stood on the lofty dividing ridge overlooking 
the grand valleys of Arkansas and Red rivers, a strange dread 
of "coming events cast their shadows before' 7 and filled his soul 
with awe. While he stood there, "doubting, dreaming dreams 
no mortal ever dared to dream before," his guardian angel, 
as he declares, the American eagle, swooped down near his 
head, and with loud, beckoning screams, bent his flight 
toward the prairies of Texas. Following what he deemed 
duty and destiny, he pressed forward. At Nacogdoches he 
was received joyfully by scores of distinguished Texans and 
old friends, who astonished him by stating that at a public 
meeting it was proposed to send a delegation to his forest 
home and urge him to come and lead Texas in her fearful 
struggle with Mexico. Houston assured them Texas had 
many noble sons of great courage and talents that could lead 
her people against the Mexicans. They replied : "We know 
Texas has some of the brightest intellects and bravest men 
on the continent; yet we have no man who can smite 8,000,000 
Mexicans with one hand and hold 30,000 Indians in check 
with the other, and guide Texas to her grand destiny." 
Houston hurried away from these entreaties of friends, to 
the commission assigned him by General Jackson. At Na- 
cogdoches he was joined by his friend, James Bowie, who 
had just married the beautiful Castilian daughter of Vera- 



Dr. Rttfus C. Burleson. 561 

mendi, of San Antonio, whose name was a magic power 
over all the Indians and Mexicans of Western Texas. 

By special courier of the United States army the Com- 
anche chiefs and all their associate bands met General Hous- 
ton as a special messenger of General Jackson in the Council 
House at San Antonio. Houston's princely bearing, lofty 
courage, long residence among the Indians and his undying 
love for the red men were so great that the chiefs all de- 
clared "He is a messenger from the 'Great Spirit' to save the 
Indian race." After forming a most satisfactory treaty he 
returned to Nacogdoches. Traveling through the scattered 
settlements and broad prairies and fertile valleys he realized 
that Texas had been rightly called the Paradise of the New 
World, and must become the home of a noble people. His 
great heart was stirred with the terrible thought that this 
beautiful land was about to be deluged in blood and chained 
in bondage by Santa Anna, who had just slaughtered two 
thousand Mexican patriots at Zacatecas. He was still more 
startled upon reaching Nacogdoches to learn that he had 
been elected a delegate to a "consultation meeting" to be 
held at San Felipe to consider what was the duty of Texas 
in regard to the perils of the hour. 

He hurried on to Natchitoches, La., headquarters of the 
United States army under General Gaines, and delivered to 
the United States courier his treaty with the Indians, to be 
forwarded to General Jackson. What other secret agree- 
ments were made with the United States officers and soldiers 
on future contingency no human being will probably ever 
fully know, but we may learn something further on. The 
convention at San Felipe was composed of brilliant men, 
who would have made splendid statesmen in Massachusetts, 
Virginia, South Carolina or Georgia, but did not know how 
to lay the foundation of a powerful government in the wil- 
derness. All kinds of impracticable schemes regarding banks 
and commerce were proposed by several brilliant advocates, 
some of whom desired a grand banking system similar to 
London, New York or Charleston. Some hot-headed men 
wanted to declare immediate and eternal separation from 
Mexico and set up an independent republic. Houston, plant- 
ing himself upon the eternal bed rock of safety, said : "Gov- 



562 The Life and Writings of 

ernments long established should not be destroyed for light 
and transient causes. Every effort should be made to re- 
dress our wrongs before revolutionizing." 

He said : "Banks may be good things where commerce 
is overflowing and governments are well established, but 
curses to a new formative state like Texas." 

Stephen F. Austin, with two other delegates, were ap- 
pointed to go to the City of Mexico to present the petition 
of Texas to become a separate State of Mexico. That con- 
sultation meeting also elected Henry S. Smith governor, J. 
W. Robinson lieutenant-governor, and nine councilmen. 
General Houston was elected commander-in-chief of the army 
to be raised, but he protested earnestly, saying : "I had re- 
solved never to hold another office. I came here at the earn- 
est importunity of old friends, who assured me their lives 
and fortunes, and the lives of their wives and children were 
all about to be sacrificed, and implored me to aid them in 
escaping the threatened ruin." At last he yielded to duty 
and destiny. But alas ! that advisory committee of nine 
councilmen, like many other cabinets, legislators, school 
trustees, etc., "clothed with a little brief authority, cut up 
such fantastic tricks as make angels weep and devils laugh." 
These "nine Solomons," who never smelled gunpowder, in- 
formed General Houston that he was to await all orders from 
them. They also commanded his subordinate officers not to 
obey General Houston's orders unless countersigned by them- 
selves. Governor Smith, who had fortunately been "a school- 
master" and had some sense, protested against such unheard 
of proceedings. He told them that General Houston had 
learned war at the feet of General Jackson, and that the 
general in the field alone must be responsible. But the afore- 
said "nine Solomons" proceeded to depose the governor and 
assume entire control of Texas — military and civil. As soon 
as Houston received "their foolish orders he resigned. But 
the perils of the hour were so great and fearfully increas- 
ing, another and larger convention was called to meet at Wash- 
ington, March 1st, 183 G, and declared "as Santa Anna and 
other military despots have overthrown the republican con- 
stitution of 1824, under which we immigrated to Texas, 
and has established an odious military despotism and are now 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 563 

sending large bodies of soldiers into Texas to disarm the 
citizens and leave them to the tender mercies of 30,000 In- 
dians in and near our borders; therefore, resolved, we no 
longer owe any allegiance to Mexico." If they had acted 
otherwise they would have disgraced their Anglo-Saxon 
blood, which had been poured out at Lexington, Yorktown 
and New Orleans. The heroes of Texas proclaimed a declara- 
tion of independence from Mexico. George C. Childress, 
Sam Houston and four others were on the committee to draft 
the Declaration of Independence and a Constitution. Hous- 
ton moved its adoption and sustained it by a speech of burn- 
ing eloquence. Hon. D. C. Burnett was elected president 
and General Houston commander-in-chief, and the "nine 
smart Alecks" who had figured so disgracefully as an ad- 
visory council retired to dark obscurity and have never been 
heard from since. 

General Houston set out to join the army at Gonzales 
on the 10th of March, 1836. The dreadful news that the 
Alamo had fallen and the last hero perished, on the 6th of 
March, flashed like lightning over Texas. Santa Anna, mad- 
dened by eleven days' delay and the loss cf 1,600 of his 
best troops, resolved to sweep the Texans from the face of 
the earth. When General Houston reached the lofty ridge 
upon the magnificent valleys and the boundless, beautiful 
prairies, he saw scores of old men, women, boys and girls, 
fleeing from Santa Anna and his thousand Guatemalean In- 
dians, black angels of death, to do his bloody work of mur- 
dering men, women and children. The fugitives were on 
foot, on horseback and in wagons, driving their stock and 
hurrying away from the murderous enemy. As he gazed 
on these fugitives from burning homes, he remembered the 
words uttered by iEneas to Chorebus on that fatal night 
when Troy was burned by the Greeks: "All is lost; you 
came to aid a burning, captured city." But as gloomy hor- 
rors were filling his soul, his ever-watchful guardian angel, 
the American eagle, swooped down over his head and bent 
his flight toward San Jacinto, and he knew that victory and 
glory were in the east. 

Houston hurried on to join the little army of Texans 
near Gonzales. Before he arrived two stirring events had 



564 The Life and "Writings of 

occurred. The mounted videttes, who had been stationed 
near San Antonio to watch the siege of the Alamo, dashed 
into the Texas camp on the 7th and shouted: "The Alamo 
has fallen and is a smoking ruin, and every hero is dead." 
As it was supposed Santa Anna would sweep over Texas like 
a tornado, there was a general panic to hurry home and look 
after their families. At that crisis the drum beat, and all 
soldiers were requested to meet at General Burleson's tent. 
He was a plain, unlettered soldier, but made a soul-stirring 
speech, closing with the memorable words: "Thermopylae 
had her messenger of defeat, the Alamo has none; and so 
let it be with all Texas. If Texas goes down in this unequal, 
bloody contest for liberty, let no Texan soldier ever cross the 
Sabine as a messenger of our defeat. Let every soldier die 
as Travis, Crockett and Bowie have, fighting for liberty." 
Wild shouts rent the air: "That's just what we will do; 
that is just what we will do." 

The other event was, Santa Anna sent, on the 8th, "a 
messenger of defeat" to the Texas camp, to spread terror and 
panic. He mounted Mrs. Dickinson, the only surviving wit- 
ness of the butchery of the Alamo, on a mule, with her babe 
in her arms, both sprinkled with the blood of heroes. He sent 
as her guide the African slave of Colonel Travis. As she 
rode into the Texas camp on the 9 th, all the soldiers gathered 
around her to gaze upon the mournful sight. She shouted, 
with her clarion voice : "They all died fighting for liberty, 
as every true Texan should." So, when Houston reached 
the army, they were all in fine fighting mood. 

Houston formed his grand campaign with the skill of 
a Labius and Napoleon, ever remembering the immortal 
words of Prince Schomburg : "A great general never fights 
till he gets ready, and always chooses his battleground." He 
said, wisely: "Texas cannot afford another Alamo or Goliad; 
we must retreat before Santa Anna, until he thinks we are 
utterly routed and becomes careless." It was a profound war 
secret that if it became absolutely necessary, the Texans 
should retreat to the banks of the Sabine, when 4,000 United 
States soldiers, with their guns, should desert from General 
Gaines' army and overwhelm Santa Anna at a blow, and 
throw a strong cavalry force in his rear, and capture the last 



Dr. Rufits C. Burleson. 565 

general, the last soldier, the last gun and the last dollar, be- 
fore he reached the Rio Grande; and then inarch up to the 
banks of the Rio Grande and demand Mexico to cease her 
hostility and acknowledge our independence, or the victorious 
army would invade her territory and make her pay the ex- 
penses of war. 

A grander campaign was never planned; yet, all the 
"smart Alecks," the bane and curse of every enterprise, and 
many good men, knowing nothing of Houston's secrets, con- 
demned him bitterly for retreating from the Colorado. 

On the 20th of April the immortal spy, Deaf Smith, 
captured Santa Anna's courier, with his dispatches, in which 
he spoke contemptuously of Texans, and his "disgust at chas- 
ing them like mule-eared rabbits over the prairies," and said 
he would return home and leave his generals to continue the 
chase. The eagle eye of Houston saw the golden moment 
nad come. Next morning, April 21, he ordered Deaf Smith 
to cut down Vince's bridge, to cut off all recruits and all re- 
treat. He ordered every commander to be ready at 3 o'clock 
p. m. He selected 3 o'clock in the evening because he knew 
every Mexican, according to custom, would be asleep, taking 
his usual siesta. Just eighteen minutes after three the Spar- 
tan band of 782 Texans, in regular order, rushed to the charge 
with the appalling battle cry, "Remember the Alamo ! Re- 
member Goliad !" Two thousand four hundred Mexicans, 
startled from their sleep, in wild confusion, formed their line 
of battle. The Texans reserved their fire until within full 
gunshot, and took deliberate aim. At the first fire 600 Mex- 
icans fell dead or wounded. The Texans reloaded, continued 
the charge and fired again, shouting, "Remember the Alamo ! 
Remember Goliad !" The astonished Mexicans threw down 
their arms and fled. Santa Anna, waking out of his usual si- 
esta, hurriedly put on his magnificent uniform and mounted 
his fiery war horse and rushed to the front. But utterly be- 
wildered and horrified, he saw his heroes of Zacatecas and thir- 
ty-two other battlefields, falling like wheat before the mow- 
er's scythe, or throwing down their guns and fleeing in con- 
fusion, shouting, "Me no Alamo! Me no Goliad!" He saw 
his awful day of destruction and doom had come, and wheeling 
his fiery steed, he fled toward Vince's bridge, but found it 



566 The Life and Writings of 

burned down. He spurred his fiery steed into the deep 
stream and immediately bogged up to his neck. But Santa 
Anna scrambled out on the other side, and said: "These 
Texas devils mil know me by my uniform and kill me," and 
tore off his magnificent military coat, pants, boots and golden 
spurs, and fled, barefooted and bareheaded, like a "mule- 
eared rabbit" across the prairie. About dark, tired, and over- 
whelmed with astonishment and grief, he hid in a little live 
oak grove. Soon he heard innumerable droves of wolves, at- 
tracted by the smell of blood, howling fearfully and moving 
toward the field of slaughter. "When they drew near, he 
climbed a live oak tree, and spent that fearful night all alone, 
surrounded by that awful serenade of wolves, reflecting upon 
the Alamo and Goliad, and his dark and bloody career. Next 
morning, hungry and weary of life, he bent his steps toward 
the Brazos bottom, without hat, coat, boots, or pants. The 
flight of Xerxes was eclipsed by Santa Anna. Oh ! how dif- 
ferently he expected to return to the halls of the Montezu- 
mas! 

Soon he spied three of General Burleson's soldiers on his 
track and hid in the tall prairie grass, but the sharp eye of 
young Lieutenant James Sylvester saw him, and riding ap 
near, called out : "Come out of there, old coon !" Santa 
Anna made out he was dead. Sylvester said: "Come out 
quick, old coon, or I will put two more bullet holes in you." 
Santa Anna came out trembling, and said : "Young man, I 
will give you this gold watch and chain if you will let me go." 
Sylvester replied : "I don't want your watch and chain; you 
go to General Houston." Seeing his magnificent gold shirt 
buttons, he began to suspect he was Santa Anna. . Santa 
Anna then said : "Young man, I have a gold mine in Mex- 
ico worth millions; I will give you that gold mine and this 
watch and chain if you will let me have your mule and es- 
cape." Sylvester replied: "I don't want your watch and 
chain, nor your gold mine, you just march off to General 
Houston." He pretended that he could not walk, as his feet 
were so torn and bleeding on account of the briars and the race 
of the day before. In the meantime Joel Robinson and an- 
other hero joined Sylvester, and in mercy for the wretched 
captive they let him get up behind Sylvester on his mule. And 



Dr. Ruftts C. Burleson. 567 

Santa Anna took "his mule ride across the prairie.' 7 Oh ! what 
bitter remorse filled his soul when he remembered that just 
f orty-six days before, after the horrible butchery of the Alamo, 
he had mounted Mrs. Dickinson on a mule to go and spread 
consternation in the Texas camp. His only hope was, that 
stripped of his miltiary suit, the Mexicans would not recog- 
nize him. But as soon as he reached the encampment, his 
vast herd of Mexican captives shouted mournfully: "El 
Presidente Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna!" El Presidente 
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna!" Immediately vast crowds 
of infuriated Texans gathered around Houston's tent, some 
with ropes and some with chunks of fire, shouting: "Burn 
him, hang him; he murdered my father; he murdered my 
brother at the Alamo or Goliad !" The trembling Napoleon of 
the West," entering the tent of General Houston, fell, with 
tears, at his feet, crying : "You are born to no common des- 
tiny; you have conquered the Napoleon of the West. Oh! 
spare a fallen, ruined man !" Houston sat on his couch, suffer- 
ing terribly with his wounded ankle, but sent Generals Busk 
and Burleson and others of his more thoughtful officers, say- 
ing : "Tell the boys to be quiet; we must not disgrace our glo- 
rious victory by mobbing and murdering a prisoner of war. 
We will have a council of officers, civil and military, and will 
do for Santa Anna what will be for the highest glory of 
Texas." 

General Houston sent for General Almonte and other 
Mexican generals. Their meeting was touching beyond de- 
scription. Santa Anna cried: "Oh, give me a bottle of 
opium to drown the unutterable horrors that madden my brain 
and crush my heart." They gave him enough to quiet him, 
but not enough for suicide. 

The military and civil council decided that while Santa 
Anna deserved to be executed immediately as a bloody mur- 
derer and traitor, it would blur the fair name of Texas to exe- 
cute a prisoner of war. It was, therefore, agreed that he 
should be released and sent home to Mexico; that he should 
disband his army, secure a ratification of independence of 
Texas and a treaty of peace and commerce. 

General Jackson and the wisest American and English 
statesmen declare that the sparing of Santa Anna, under the 



568 The Life and Writings of 

circumstances, was a grander victory for Texas than the battle 
of San Jacinto. 

General Houston addressed a letter to the people of 
Texas saying : "By the blessing of God the war is over. The 
Mexicans are driven beyond the Rio Grande. Return home, 
rebuild your homes and fences, plant corn, be free, prosperous 
and happy." 

But his wounds threatened to become dangerous, and 
Dr. Ewing and other surgeons decided he should go imme- 
diately to New Orleans for special treatment. When it was 
known that the hero of San Jacinto, who with '782 Texans, 
conquered 2,400 Mexicans, was coming to New Orleans for 
surgical treatment, the heart of that great city was stirred, 
and ten thousand men and women crowded the banks of the 
Mississippi to catch a glimpse of the man who had conquered 
"the Napoleon of the West." Amid that vast and eager 
throng stood the beautiful belle of Alabama, who had come 
with her former teacher, Dr. McLean, and schoolmates, to 
visit the queen city of the South. 

As General Houston came ashore, pale and almost faint- 
ing, borne between two comrades, wildest shouts and thou- 
sands of waving handkerchiefs filled the air. General Hous- 
ton halted on the deck of the ship "'Liberty," with a voice 
trembling, yet ringing like a trumpet, said: "My kind phy- 
sicians say I must not speak, yet I must thank you for your 
sympathy for Texas and the honor you have this day shown 
me. But, fellow citizens, remember while Texas has con- 
quered Santa Anna and his bloody soldiers by her own brave 
arm, she has another grander victory to gain before she is 
really free and great; she must conquer herself, her passions 
and her sins. And in this second greater battle we need 
large recruits of pious women and ministers of the Gospel." 

These strange words fell with magic power on the heart 
of the queenly, pious belle of Alabama. She trembled, she 
knew not why, but felt it would be a glorious thing to aid in 
that second grander victory. 

The hero of San Jacinto and the lovely belle of Alabama 
met, by chance, at the home of Colonel Christy, but after- 
wards they met by choice, and finally the hero of San Jacinto, 



Dr. Rufus C. Burlesox. 569 

gazing on the rosy, modest cheeks, raven black hair and deep 
bine eyes of undying devotion, and, above all, listening to 
her voice, softer than that of a lute string, surrendered and laid 
his honors down at her feet. And after many prayers and con- 
sulting with mamma, she became his guiding star and guard- 
ian angel, until his great heart ceased to beat at Hunts- 
ville, Texas, July 28, 1863. Her sincerity, her purity and 
her sublime devotion to God and duty filled all his ideal of 
woman as taught him by his devout mother. 

Under the magic influence of the beautiful belle of Ala- 
bama the hero of San Jacinto gained a grander victory than 
ever achieved by Alexander the Great; he conquered himself . 
He ceased his dissipation and bcame a teetotaler and a tem- 
perance lecturer. He ceased his profanity, established in his 
family an altar of prayer, was converted and became a leading 
member of the Baptist church. 

But while Houston's ankle was being healed and his 
head and heart and his whole being clothed with "the armour 
of righteousness/' he heard that wild anarchy and ruin were 
threatening Texas. Texas at that time was a boiling ocean 
of excitement. The struggle of 30,000 Texans against 
8,000,000 Mexicans, and especially the bloody scenes of the 
Alamo, Goliad and San Jacinto had stirred the hearts of free- 
men the world over, and scores of noble patriots rushed to the 
banner of freedom. But alas, as the tarantula and the cen- 
tipede and hissing adder always come forth with the fragrant 
flowers of spring, so along with these noble patriots came a 
number of hot-headed men with a desire to be leaders. Sev- 
eral of these men came, as such men generally do, when the 
danger ■ was over and the smoke of battle had died away. 
These wretched, turbulent spirits, led by such men as H. Mil- 
lard and Jeff Green, resolved to depose the great and good 
President Burnet and establish a military despotism — the 
very evil for which Texas took up arms against Santa Anna. 
They issued the following order to an officer : 

"You are hereby ordered to proceed from Quintana to 
Yelasco and arrest the person of David G. Burnet. Take 
into your possession the books and, papers of his office, and 
you will also take into your possession the books, papers and 



570 The Life and Writings of 

records of the secretaries of state, of war, and of the treasury, 
and them safely keep and report forthwith. 

(Signed) "H. MILLARD." 

Houston, hearing of this raging sea of commotion, hur- 
ried back to Texas, and, like Neptune, stretched forth the tri- 
dent, and the wild sea of anarchy hushed. He issued an ad- 
dress to the soldiers, warned them against following the coun- 
sel of rash men, and above all, to submit to the civil authori- 
ties. But President Burnet and his cabinet wisely decided to 
order an election for permanent officers of the new republic. 
Texas, amid the perils of the hour, needed a Hercules strong 
enough with one arm to ward off 8,000,000 Mexicans, and 
with the other arm to hold in check 30,000 Indians, and place 
his right foot squarely on the 375 "smart Alecks" and would- 
be leaders, and at the same time guide Texas to her glorious 
destiny. Let it never be forgotten that Texas had at that time 
scores of men that would have made able governors or con- 
gressmen of Massachusetts, New York, Virginia, South Caro- 
lina or Georgia. My friend, Judge A. "W. Terrell, has shown 
that there were more educated men and college graduates in 
the convention that proclaimed the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence and adopted the Constitution of the Republic of Texas 
than ever assembled in any constitutional convention of this 
continent. For as Texas was to become the empire State, 
God selected giants to lay the foundation. But few of these 
great men fully understood the perils of the hour or had been 
trained in war and peace, in crowded cities and forests, so as 
to realize and meet the wants of Texas. All eyes were turned 
to Houston as the giant to meet these mighty perils. Yet, he 
was not a giant among pigmies, but a Titan among Titans. 
Houston at first refused the use of his name for president, 
but insisted that Austin or Burnet be placed at the helm. 
Only twelve days before the election did he yield to the en- 
treaties of friends, yet he was elected by an overwhelming ma- 
jority. "Well might the perils that surrounded the infant re- 
public appall the heart of a great man, capable of comprehend- 
ing all the issues involved. Texas had not a dollar in the 
treasury and no credit abroad. She owed a revolutionary 
debt of $1,250,000. The people lived in tents and board shan- 



Dk. Rufus C. Burleson. 571 

ties or log cabins. The convention that declared the inde- 
pendence of Texas and adopted the Constitution met in a the 
board-shanty storehouse' 7 of Rev. !N". T. Byars. There were 
not a dozen churches or school houses in Texas. And yet, 
8,000,000 Mexicans and 30,000 Indians were ready to blot 
out Texas. But Houston, Austin, Burnet, Rusk, Ed Burle- 
son, Lamar, Anson Jones, W. H. Jack and E. M. Pease and 
scores of others were fully adequate to the herculean task. 
They said: Eirst — We must accept the situation as it is. 
Second — Texas is poor, and $1,250,000 in debt; we must levy 
a small tax, practice rigid economy and pay as we go. Third 
— Texas must cultivate peace with our neighbors, American 
Indians and Mexicans. Eourth — Texas must plant corn, 
raise cotton, establish churches, schools and courts of justice, 
must worship God and love our neighbor. The president set 
a good example of economy, wore coarse clothes, brogan shoes, 
and drank his coffee without cream or sugar. When some 
petty, strolling politician ridiculed Houston's dress and fare, 
in the presence of General Jackson, the old hero replied : "I 
rejoice that there is one statesman that God made, and not the 
tailor." In one year Texas began to reap the benefits of 
Houston's grand policy. She raised, in 1837, 30,000 bales 
of cotton; vast herds of cattle and horses were covering the 
prairies, and thousands of immigrants were crowding along all 
the great thoroughfares. Schools and churches were spring- 
ing up all over the land. Houston's name and vast influence 
over the Indian's kept them quiet during his first term as 
president, which was limited by the Constitution to two years. 
It is a remarkable fact that the Indians never violated a 
treaty made with General Houston, and never kept one made 
wiih any other man. The wisdom of Houston's policy was 
painfully conspicuous when contrasted with that adopted by 
his successor, the heroic and brilliant Lamar. This brilliant 
orator and soldier, with scores of others, believed Houston's 
policy was too plain, too timid. They believed that a policy 
more brilliant in display and more military in regard to the 
Indians and Mexicans would increase the respect for Texas 
among other nations. In his inaugural he said, among other 
things : "The boundary line of the Republic will be drawn 
with the sword, and every invasion of our rights will be 



572 The Life and "Writings of 

speedily chastised. We must also lay the foundation of such 
institutions and such a system of agriculture and commerce as 
will develop all the resources of Texas. These things will 
give us security as home and respectability abroad." 

The sad result was, Texas was plunged into debt. Infu- 
riated by the killing of Bowles and the expelling of the Chero- 
kees from Eastern Texas, the killing of twelve chiefs in their 
council house at San Antonio, and the threatened invasion of 
Santa Fe, 30,000 Indians and 8,000,000 Mexicans were filled 
with revenge. Mexico sent her infamous secret agents, Cor- 
dova and Mores, to visit all the Indian tribes and infuriate 
them to kill, burn, and in every way harrass and destroy the 
Texans. Cordova and Flores, assured the Indians that Mexico 
was preparing a large army to aid the Indians in destroying 
and driving the Texans beyond the Sabine. The Indians, un- 
der the influence of these men, raided from the mountains to 
the gulf, along the Guadalupe and Colorado, burning the town 
of Linville, sacking Victoria and hundreds of happy homes. 
As a part of this wicked programme, the next year Vasquez 
and Woll invaded Texas and captured San Antonio, and car- 
ried away Judge Hutchinson with his entire court, lawyers, 
witnesses, jury, clients and records, as he found them in the 
midst of an important trial. In addition to all these evils, 
discontent and bankruptcy ruled everywhere. 

In Congress a resolution was passed, that "we end this 
farce of a government and go home;" but in the midst of the 
excitement the clarion voice of Houston, who at that time was 
a member of Congress, was heard ringing through the hall, 
"Texan Congressmen, hear me! All is not lost. God and 
our country yet remain. And if we will be true to ourselves 
and to Texas, and to the memory of the Alamo, Goliad and 
San Jacinto, all will be well." And, with a speech of such 
burning eloquence as could never be reported, he induced them 
to rescind the resolution of dissolution, and "to adjourn to 
meet the next day." The sensitive and brilliant Lamar was 
so overwhelmed by this accumulation of woes, he became 
gloomy and despondent, and begged Congress to relieve him 
of his official duties, and he retired to his old home in Georgia, 
leaving Vice-President Burnet to finish his term of office. 



Dk. Kufus C. Burlesox. 573 

In this terrible hour of gloom and anarchy, all hearts 
turned to Houston, and he was re-elected by an almost unani- 
mous vote, with General Ed Burleson as vice-president. Hous- 
ton was inaugurated in 1841. In dread of the terrible dis- 
order of the land, one of the first acts of the Congress was to 
declare Sam Houston dictator for ten years. But the grand 
old hero vetoed the bill. In a brief message of burning power, 
he said: "We want no dictator; we want a republic. We 
want peace, and quiet and industry at home, and good will 
and friendship with our neigbors; all of which can be ob- 
tained by the blessings of God." Houston, leaving Vice- 
President Burleson in charge of the government, mounted a 
fleet horse, and with a small guard, mostly of friendly Indians, 
passed along the hostile frontier for over five hundred miles. 
He rode fearlessly into the hostile camp of the Indians; with 
tears he embraced and kissed the stern warriors, and made 
presents of beads and ribbons to the women and children, and 
told them : "We are children of the same Great Spirit, If 
bad men have stirred up my people to do you wrong, we will 
do so no more. We will leave you to your own hunting 
grounds, and let us live as children of the same Great Spirit, 
in peace and harmony." He sent three commissioners to 
Mexico to negotiate terms of peace and commercial relations. 
He cut off all needless expenses; reduced everything to the 
strictest republican economy. Peace and confidence were 
restored, "the trident of Neptune again, calmed the turbid 
ocean, and joy and plenty smiled upon Texas." 

But Houston, feeling that annexation to the United 
States was essential to promote the permanent peace and pros- 
perity of Texas, appointed as special minister to the United 
States, Isaac Van Zandt, to secure annexation. But powerful 
agencies had worked up violent opposition to annexation : 
Pirst — The whole North, jealous of the predominence 
of Southern influence in the national councils, opposed the 
annexation of more Southern territory. Second — The Aboli- 
tion party, with all their wild fanaticism, clamored against 
the annexation of Texas, with her 274,000 square miles of 
slave territory. Thev said : This will give the slave power, 
territory as large as North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, 
Alabama and Mississippi, and will perpetuate slavery for 



574 The Life and Writings of 

ages to come. Third — The leading papers of the North, and 
some of the South, teemed with the vilest abuse of the Texans, 
as thieves, murderers and runaways. Fourth — Thousands of 
timid men feared annexation would bring war with Mexico, 
aided by England and France. These powerful political in- 
fluences induced the two great political parties, Democrats 
and Whigs, to rule Texas out of the presidential election of 
1844. Both candidates, Van Buren and Clay, committed 
themselves against annexation. Annexation was therefor© 
apparently hopeless. But one wave of Houston's trident 
changed these great political currents. He withdrew General 
Van Zandt as minister, and also the application of Texas for 
annexation. He wrote a personal letter to General Jackson, 
regretting deeply that the United States had repelled Texas 
scornfully. He said this would compel Texas to form an al- 
liance with England, by which England would guarantee the 
freedom of Texas from Mexican interference, and by which 
England's manufactures and Texas' cotton would be ex- 
changed without tariff, which would not only increase the 
power of English influence on this continent, but seriously 
damage American manufacturing and shipping and all other 
commercial interests. 

As he clearly foresaw, this awakened General Jackson's 
hatred to England, and aroused more fiercely all the New 
England manufacturers and commercial and shipping men of 
New York and Philadelphia. The result was, the whole na- 
tion was aroused in favor of annexation. The roar of the old 
lion of Democracy had stirred up the masses North and South. 
As soon as the far-seeing Henry Clay heard of the nomination 
of Polk on the "Texas platform," he said to the crowds of his 
admirers, assembled in Raleigh, North Carolina, "Beat again." 
James K. Polk was elected. President Tyler and the leading 
politicians vied with each other in their zeal for annexation. 

Texas was annexed on the 5th of July, 1845, as the his- 
toric Fourth of July came on Sunday. All this wonderful 
revolution in favor of annexation was consummated by the 
master generalship of Sam Houston. 

As was meet and proper, General Sam Houston and Thos. 
J. Rusk were elected United States senators, and Houston's 
broad statesmanship was speedily called into exercise on a 



Dr. Ruftts C. Burleson. 575 

broader scale. The Santa Fe territory, including 98,000 
square miles, was a part of Texas, but she had never been 
able to assert her authority over it, and the United States 
claimed it as a part of the territory ceded to the United States 
by Mexico on account of the Mexican war. Both the presi- 
dent of the United States and the governor of Texas sent of- 
ficers to organize and control the Santa Fe territory. These 
officers came into violent- conflict, and the president of the 
United States and the governor of Texas both sent armed men 
to sustain their officers. The older States felt indignant that 
Texas, already seven times larger than New York, thirty-six 
times larger than Massachusetts and two hundred and sixty 
times larger than Rhode Island, should want to grasp 98,000 
square miles more. Civil war was imminent. A congress- 
man from South Carolina addressed a letter to President Tyler 
saying : "The first gun fired on the plains of Santa Fe or 
New Mexico to coerce Texas will be a signal for the whole 
South to rush to her defense." But the profound statesman- 
ship of Houston and Rusk, aided by such statesmen as Thos. 
H. Benton and Frank Pierce, affected a peaceable compromise. 
Texas sold her interest in the Santa Fe territory for fifteen mil- 
lion dollars. This paid the last cent of her public debt, 
and left a handsome sum in her treasury. Houston's pro- 
found statesmanship stipulated that two millions of this sum 
should be set apart forever for free schools, the interest alone 
to be used. Thus our hero in war secured the first dollar for 
free schools ever placed in the Texas treasury, and laid the 
foundation of our present grand system of education. 

But Houston looked at every department of progress and 
prosperity for Texas. He was one of the first of our great 
statesmen that saw the indispensable necessity of railroads for 
the full development of Texas. But one of the first giant 
frauds ever committed on Texas was the charter for a "Texas 
Railroad, Navigation and Banking Company," in 1839, with 
a capital stock of five million dollars, to be increased to ten 
millions — all on paper. This huge fraud, after cheating 
innocent men out of fifty or sixty thousand dollars, evaporated. 

This first attempt at railroads gave Texas a supreme dis- 
gust for the whole system. Added to this, the city of Hous- 
ton with her Houston Telegraph with a circulation ten times 



5/6 The Life and Writings of 

larger than any other paper in Texas, all bitterly opposed rail- 
roads, and denounced any movement on their behalf as an 
effort to revive the old fraud of 1837. But Houston, Busk, 
E. M. Pease, Bermond and a few other far-seeing men were 
the ardent advocates of railroads. 

I shall never forget General Houston's visit to my house 
in 1853. He and General Kusk had visited Austin and made 
addresses before the Legislature on the great importance of 
railroads for the future development of Texas. He said to me : 
"I come by request of our committee in favor of railroads to 
enlist you in a subject that should be dear to every Texan 
heart. Texas must now decide whether she is to be a mere 
cow pen a*nd sheep ranch, or a great Empire State. If she is 
content to be a sheep ranch or cow pen she has about all she 
needs; but if she wishes to be the grandest State on the conti- 
nent she must have railroads. She has no navigable rivers, no 
inland bays or seas, but is the best adapted for a grand system 
of cheap railroads of any State on the continent. She has no 
mountains to tunnel, and is almost a natural grade and can be 
fitted for ties and roailroad irons at comparatively little cost. 
But she has no freights and no travel to pay capitalists to 
build her roads; therefore she must give the railroad man a 
heavy bonus of sixteen sections to every mile after the first 
twenty-five miles are put in running order. We can make 
an arrangement to give this bonus, reserving every alternate 
section for free schools, and when the roads are built the re- 
served alternate section will be worth five times as much as 
both sections were before the railroad was built. But," he 
added, "short-sighted men and demagogues, headed, I am 
sorry to say, by the gallant city of Houston and the learned 
but impracticable Dr. Francis Moore, are bitterly opposed to 
railroads, but propose to build an 'adobe road' from Houston 
to the Brazos timbers at Hempstead. To overcome this vast 
array of opposition we must have the vigorous aid of every 
man who thinks, whether he wears a black cravat, a white cra- 
vat, or no cravat at all. And our committee wants you to 
spike the big cannon at Houston and silence its thunders 
against railroads and use all your influence for railroads." 

T promised to enter the fight with "fervency and zeal," 
provided the State reserved the right to control the roads as 



Dr. Ritfus C. Burleson. 577 

highways. The historic city went to work on her "'adobe 
road," graded it up to Hockley, with the assurance of the 
learned Dr. Moore that the farmers would pack it down in the 
summer and fall, and its large amount of lime would convert 
it into "an adobe surface" as hard as the "adobe brick" of 
which the halls of the Montezumas were built centuries ago. 
But alas, "the best laid schemes of mice and men aft gang 
aglee." The whole "adobe road bogged down in a continent of 
mud." But the merchant princes and the grand practical 
men of Houston rushed up to Austin, got a charter for the 
Houston and Texas Central railroad and clapped the ties down 
on the well graded "adobe road," and pushed forward the 
Houston and Texas Central, and Houston became the grand 
railroad center and pride of all Texas. 

How few men enjoying the luxury of riding over the 
vast prairies of Texas in a magnificent Pullman car ever think 
how much they owe to Houston, Rusk, Pease, Bremon and 
their compeers, who fought the first grand battle for railroads ! 
The crowning glory of their plan is, they so combined the rail- 
road interests and the interests of education that to-day Texas 
has the largest educational fund of any country on the globe 
— over $200,000,000 — and is to-day the fourth railroad State 
in the Union and will soon quadruple any other State. But 
another grand index of Houston's profound statesmanship 
was, he detected the blighting influence of foreign immigra- 
tion, largely of paupers and convicts, on the prosperity of 
America. Houston saw, forty years ago, our Chinese trouble, 
and sought to guard against it. He and other great statesmen 
were profoundly penetrated with the conviction that " Ameri- 
cans should rule America," and that Washington was right 
when on the night before the battle of Yorktown he issued 
the order, "Put none but Americans on guard." He com- 
prehended the eternal truth of the Bible, "that nations that 
mix themselves, part iron and part clay, are weak." Hence, 
he and other profound statesmen organized "The American 
Party," which became familiarly known as the "Knownothing 
Party." 

The true object of this party was not to exclude or op- 
press foreigners, but to adopt the old Eoman law, by which 
no man became a citizen of Pome by residing three years, or 

37 



578 The Life and Writings of 

fifty years, and paying $3 for his naturalization papers. The 
old Eoman law allowed no man to become a Koman, unless 
he was eminent for his honesty, intelligence and patriotism, 
and all the virtues of a Brutus or a Oato. The American 
party wanted not only to adopt this grand old law of the Ko- 
nians, but to blot out the disgraceful scramble for office, and 
especially for the loaves and fishes thereof. 

But these noble ends were misunderstood ; were fearfully 
opposed by all men who coveted the foreign vote. The Amer- 
ican party itself made a fearful mistake by waging war against 
foreigners and against the Catholic religion. The funda- 
mental principles of the American party. will live again and 
will prove a blessing, not only to all native Americans, but a 
protection to all honest foreigners and Catholics. 

Nothing showed the profound statesmanship of Houston 
so grandly as his devotion to the Federal Union founded by 
the toils and tears and blood of our revolutionary fathers. 
Every grand thinker and philosopher, from Bishop Berkley 
to Webster and Gladstone, has firmly believed that God so 
formed the majestic rivers, mountains and valleys of this con- 
tinent, as to be the home of the most united and the grandest 
nation in the world. Bishop Berkley was so profoundly pene- 
trated with this conviction, that he came to America, in 1729, 
with a noble aspiration to found a college in Rhode Island, to 
prepare the people of this grand continent for their magnifi- 
cent and united destiny. Washington, Jefferson, Clay, Jack- 
son and Houston all regarded the permanent union of the 
United States as the only hope of peace and prosperity at 
home and protection and glory abroad. General Jackson ex- 
pressed the sentiment of all the grandest statesmen when he 
said : "The Federal Union, by the eternal, must and shall be 
preserved." They looked with shuddering at every disposi- 
tion to alienate and divide the different sections of this Union 
into petty States or kingdoms, each hostile against the other, 
as were the States of Greece, and as are the present govern- 
ments of Europe, requiring 2,000,000 of armed men to pro- 
tect and destroy each other. Hence Houston opposed earn- 
estly the repeal of the Missouri compromise. He said this is 
the entering wedge of untold calamities to the American peo- 
ple. He said by the compromise measures of 1850 we had 



De. Rufus C. Btjeleson. 579 

throttled the monster of abolitionism, that was goading to 
madness the hot-headed men of the South and preparing for 
disunion and rivers of blood. 

I never shall forget his prediction and portrayal of the 
horrors of disunion and secession, as we stood alone in the 
beautiful live oak grove in front of the Baptist church at In- 
dependence. He said: "John Bell and I were the only 
Southern men who voted against the repeal of the Missouri 
compromise, and we have been bitterly denounced as pander- 
ing to Northern fanaticism to secure the presidency. I see 
the editors and politicians of Texas are denouncing me, and 
some old and dear friends have turned away from me rudely, 
saying I have become a traitor to the South.. But while that 
is the most unpopular vote I ever gave, it was the wisest and 
the most patriotic. Stephen A. Douglass introduced the re- 
peal of the Missouri compromise to catch the vote of the 
South. He is now preparing another bill, called 'squatter sov- 
ereignty/ to catch the North, and he hopes that the two will 
place him in the presidential chair. But, alas, it opens the 
agitation of the slavery question, which has been crushed by 
the compromise measures of 1850. W. H. Seward and the 
Abolitionists are rejoicing, and are quoting with joy the fool- 
ish declaration of Bhett, who said : 'The slave power is ag- 
gressive, and I expect to call the roll of my slaves at the foot 
of Bunker Hill, in Boston.' The result of all this will be, in 
1856, the Free Soil party will run a candidate for president, 
and the whole vote will be astounding. In 1860, the Free 
Soil party, uniting with the Abolitionists, will elect the presi- 
dent of the United States. Then will come the tocsin of war 
and clamor for secession. Led on by Calhoun, the Khetts, 
the Yanceys and the Wigfalls, the South will secede. Each 
scetion, in profound blindness and ignorance of the other, will 
rush madly into war, each anticipating an easy victory. But, 
alas ! alas !" he said, "Oh ! what fields of blood, what scenes 
of horror, what mighty cities in smoke and ruins — it is brother 
murdering brother, it is Greek meeting Greek — rush on over 
my vision. But, alas ! I see my beloved South go down in the 
unequal contest, in a sea of blood and smoking ruin. I see 
the proud neck of the South under the slimy heel of the 
North. I see slavery aholished; military despotism estab- 



580 The Life and Writings of 

lished over the South. I see the faithful servants, instead of 
being 'Christianized and sent home to Christianize their own 
Africa, freed from all guide, and control, turned loose to go to 
ruin and ultimate extermination, as the poor Indian has. 
And, Oh ! my country ! my country ! nothing but the arms of 
the God of Liberty can save America from anarchy, lawless- 
ness, socialism and all the monster evils that will follow the 
downfall of the South and the supremacy of the Abolitionist 
party. The North, after crushing the South, will herself 
reap the bitter curses of her 'higher law' doctrine, which sim- 
ply means a contempt of all law, and makes blind passions and 
the spirit of the Jacobin mobs rule the land. Assassination, 
'gnn-powder plots," and wild anarchy will engulf her cities. 
Oh ! my dear sir, I urge you and all Christian men to appoint 
days of prayer and fasting, that God may avert these dreadful 
•evils." 

Jeremiah or Daniel could hardly have predicted more 
clearly the bloody evils of secession than Houston did in 1852. 
All the world admired the profound penetration of Burke in 
predicting, years beforehand, the terrible convulsions of Eu- 
ope, and Napoleon, who when a prisoner on the lonely island 
of St. Helena, foretold the downfall of the Bourbon dynasty 
and the elevation of a Napoleon to the throne of France. Our 
Houston, with equal penetration, predicted the horrors of the 
abolition and secession war. He almost beheld the infamous 
assassination of Lincoln and Garfield and the horrors of the 
intended explosion of the "Haymarket" by the anachists in 
Chicago ; also the hundred thousand charges of dynamite now 
sleeping under Chicago and the great cities of the North. How 
fearfully these convulsions followed. John Brown made his 
infamous raid on the South. Helper had published his infa- 
mous "Impending Crisis" (endorsed by thirty-two congress- 
men), advising the negroes of the South to rise up at midnight, 
murder their masters- and convert the South into blood and 
ruin. All these culminated in the election of Lincoln, the 
abolition candidate, as Houston predicted eight years before. 
The whole South was goaded to madness. But Houston de- 
termined to exert every power on earth to save Texas from the 
yawning gulf. He had stumped the State against secession, 
and had been elected governor largely by his personal popu- 



De. Ruftts C. Bueleson. 581 

larity. But a convention of the people had been called, and 
it was believed the ordinance of secession would be passed. 

General Houston came to Independence, and when we 
were alone, seated under a live oak tree, he said : "I am mak- 
ing my last effort to save Texas from the yawning gulf of 
ruin. I have been to San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Galves- 
ton, Huntsville, and now come to Independence as the great 
educational center, endeavoring to arouse the patriots of 
Texas to a united action to save Texas. Our plan is for lead- 
ing men in all the great centers of influence to meet simulta- 
neously in their different localities and proclaim their unal- 
terable devotion to the South and opposition to the abolition 
fanaticism, but to declare that our wisest and safest plan is to 
make our fight in the Union and under the Stars and Stripes. 
I am happy to say that leading men in all these localities cor- 
dially approve of this plan. Will you aid us in this great 
struggle V 

I assuerd him I would, with all my heart, but expressed 
great fears that all was lost. It was after midnight. He 
said: "Our only hope is in God. Let us kneel down and 
pray to the God of Liberty." Oh ! what prayers and tears 
were poured out before God. 

At the time appointed, a noble company of students and 
citizens assembled on the public square at Independence. 
Resolutions were read according with the plan suggested by 
Houston, "to remain in the Union and fight for our rights 
under the Stars and Stripes." Students John C. Watson and 
B. H. Carroll advocated the affirmative, T. I. Dunklin and 
M. M. Vanhurst advdcated the negative. Dr. D. R. Wallace 
and other eminent men say that the speeches would have done 
credit to the halls of Congress. The affirmative was carried 
overwhelmingly, and the Stars and Stripes were suspended 
from a liberty pole fifty feet high. 

We waited eagerly to hear from the simultaneous upris- 
ing of other centers of influence, especially the roar of the old 
lion in Austin. But, alas, in a few days General Houston 
sent me word : "All is lost. When the hour came we could 
not rally a dozen men bold enough to come to the front aud 
avow their convictions." 



582 The Life and Writings of 

A few days afterwards, Mr. Task Clay, mayor of Inde- 
pendence, cut down our liberty pole, and the Stars and Stripes 
lay tattered and torn in the dust. 

A few days afterwards General Houston was deposed 
from the governor's chair, and all his gloomy forebodings and 
predictions ridiculed as the vagaries of an old fogy. A lead- 
ing member of the convention, of the smart Aleck family, said 
he would drink all the blood that was shed. But, alas, when 
the blood began to flow in torrents at Bull Bun and Manas- 
sas, he put on a white cravat, turned up the whites of his eyes 
and said : "I will play Jonah no longer. I must preach the 
gospel." And he became a chaplain in the home guard di- 
vision. Another leading member of the convention said: 
"Not a gun will be fired. Nobody will fight but the Abo- 
litionists, and if they fire a gun I will take fifty buck negroes 
and march into Boston." Thus madness reigned. Horace 
Greeley said : "I spit on any theory that does not end war 
and restore the Union in six months." And at the first battle 
of Manassas the great Abolitionist leader, Wilson, with a 
dozen other congressmen, went out with baskets of champagne 
to drink with shouts of applause when they reached Bichmond. 
The battle cry was : "On to Bichmond ! Bag Jefferson Davis 
and his cabinet before sundown !" But, alas ! instead of bag- 
ging Jefferson Davis and his cabinet, he had to desert his car- 
riage, mount a bare-back mule and make his escape through 
the woods, and rushing into "Washington, cried : "All is lost. 
The Southern devils have sacked everything." 

But while such folly and madness were ruling our Na- 
tional councils, Houston and the wiser men retired to weep 
and pray. 

Just before Houston was deposed Lincoln sent a special 
messenger to Austin disguised as "a horse trader," proposing 
to send at once fifty thousand men to hold Texas in the Union 
with Houston as governor. But Houston replied: "Every 
drop of my blood will I give for Texas, and not one drop 
against Texas." 

After he was deposed and thrust out of office he passed 
through Independence with his angel wife and lovely family 
on his way to Cedar Bayou, north of Galveston. He spent a 
few days in Independence, much of the time in prayer and 



Dr. Ruths C. Burleson. 



583 



tears. In his lonely forest home lie looked with a sad heart 
on fields covered with smoke and blood; brother arrayed 
against brother. He lived .to hear that his own first born had 
been badly wounded on the battlefield. Finally, God in 
mercy relieved him from his sufferings. 

The last address he ever made was to a vast audience 
who had gathered in front of the hotel in Houston to pay their 
respects to a hero who had done so much for Texas. He said : 
"I have been buffeted by the waves; I have been borne along 
Time's ocean until shattered and worn I approach the narrow 
isthmus which divides me from the sea of eternity. Ere I 
step forward to journey through the pilgrimage of death, I 
would say that all my thoughts and hopes are with my country. 




GENERAL SAM HOUSTON'S GRAVE. 

If one impulse rises above another it is for the happiness of 
these people. The welfare and glory of Texas will be the 
uppermost thought while a spark of life lingers in this breast.'' 

Under these terrible accumulations of sorrow his health 
speedily declined, and he died July 26, 1863, aged seventy 
years. 

The Houston Telegraph announced his death, and said : 
"Let us shed tears to his memory, due one who has filled so 
much of our affection. Let the whole people bury with him 
what unkindness they may have. Let his monument be in the 
hearts of all Texans." 



584 The Life and Writings of 

Thus lived "'and thus died General Sam Houston, one of 
the few immortal names that were not born to die." Though 
thirty years have passed, every year demonstrates more his 
profound wisdom and patriotism and causes every true Texan 
to say : "Oh ! that America had only had a hundred Hous- 
tons, Clays and Jacksons." It would have saved her two 
million lives, and, including pensions, two hundred billion dol- 
lars. 

In conclusion I wish to state clearly and emphasize earn- 
estly the seven great characteristics that made Sam Houston 
the hero of San Jacinto and the father of Texas : 

1. Love of Mother — His love of mother filled his whole 
soul and permeated his whole being. Her prayers, her faith, 
her counsels and her examples followed him from the cradle 
to the grave; followed him in city and in wilderness, in pros- 
perity and adversity. Her influence, in connection with his 
angel wife, Maggie Lee, brought him back from his wander- 
ings to duty, glory, and to God. 

2. Reverence for God and Religion — General Houston 
is a striking illustration of the declaration of the great Thomas 
Carlyle : "A strong religious sentiment is a characteristic of 
all great minds." He said to me : "In all my dark trials and 
struggles, I have always gone alone, at night, for special se- 
cret prayer. My retreat from Gonzales to San Jacinto was 
the most remarkable ever known in history. Every day I 
dreaded my own men more than Santa Anna. The great ma- 
jority of the men were eager for the battle at once, and hot- 
headed men, not knowing the great plan of my campaign, 
were ready to excite mutiny, depose me, rush headlong to bat- 
tle, and, perchance, make another Alamo or Goliad. Goaded 
to madness by these men, I sometimes raved and cursed like 
a madman, yet every night, when all was quiet, I went alone 
and spent a half an hour on my knees in prayer, though so un- 
worthy." I never shall forget that half hour spent with him 
in prayer, just before he was deposed from the governorship, 
in 1861. It was midnight; we were all alone, and kneeling 
by a rock under a live oak tree, in Independence, we poured 
out our tears and prayers before the Gocl of Washington and 
liberty, to save our country from the bloody vortex of civil 
war. It was this profound religious feeling, misguided, that 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 585 

caused him to place such confidence in the flight of eagles that 
were so abundant fifty years ago, in the Southwest. 

3; Unfaltering Courage, Moral and Physical — As a 
boy he charged amid showers of arrows and bullets the strong 
fortifications of the Indians, at Tohopeka or Horseshoe. 
There was never a moment that he would not have charged 
into a cannon's mouth at the call of duty. He was the peer 
of Alexander, of Caesar, of "Washington. In the path of duty 
he could smile at the frowns and curses of the whole world. 

4. Profound Penetration — He read at a glance the se- 
cret motives of men. He penetrated the depths and heights 
and breadths of every question. He could banish all personal, 
all local feeling, and look at the facts just as uhey were, strip- 
ped of all colorings and all disguises. I have known men and 
grappled with them on the great questions of education and 
religion, from San Antonio, Texas, to Bangor, Maine, but 
have never known Houston's equal in profound, far-seeing 
penetration. Hence, while so many great men blundered, he 
foresaw and foretold the results. 

- 5. Love of Country — His love of country, like his love 
of mother, intensified his whole being. He could ever say, 
as King David : "If I forget thee, let my right hand forget 
her cunning. If I prefer not thee to my chief joy, let my 
tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth." His great soul 
(while an intense Southerner) embraced our whole country, 
from ocean to ocean and from gulf to lakes. 

6. Republican Simplicity — He had a supreme contempt 
for all display and extravagance in dress, equipage and build- 
ings. He regarded all such extravagance as criminal, not 
only because it wasted money, that should be used for higher 
and nobler purposes, but tended to bribery, corruption and 
bankruptcy. 

7. Political Honesty — He would sooner have put his 
arm in the fire than take one cent by fraud from the public 
treasury. He would as soon have defrauded his widowed 
mother as his mother country. He gave his blood, his toil, 
his prayers and his whole life to his mother country, and died 
poor, as Thomas Benton says, all honest public men should 
die. But, alas ! how fearfully we have apostatized ! Oh ! 
whither are our millionaire congressmen driving out nation ? 



586 The Life and Writings of 

But, finally, let us examine still more intently what 
were the causes that moulded and erected those seven grand, 
golden pillars, on which rests the fame of Houston, and from 
which it will grow brighter and brighter till the stars grow 
dim. But I entreat you to beware of that fearful delusion, that 
all great men like Houston, Napoleon, Newton and Columbus, 
were born great; that greatness was "thrust upon them," and 
that, "if we fail and are underlings, our stars and not our- 
selves are to be blamed." The true history. is, all great men 
reach to the Alpine heights of fame and greatness by intense 
toil. It is a fiat of fate, "there is no excellency without great 
labor." I would be glad if some great painter would paint 
Napoleon when a boy at Brienne, lying down on the ground 
and drawing a map of Europe on the sand, while other boys 
were playing marbles or ball. These same maps on the sand 
guided him in his invasion of Russia. I would be glad, also, 
to see a painting of Sam Houston lying down by that pine-knot 
fire in that rude country store, committing to memory Pope's 
Iliad of Homer, or poring over Plutarch's Lives, while other 
boys were chasing foxes over the mountains. No man has a 
profounder sense of reliance on Providence than I have; yet 
Providence only helps those who help themselves. Pro- 
foundly penetrated with this great truth, let us trace the four 
great causes that made our Houston illustrious and will make 
every boy in Texas great and illustrious, who follows those 
same rules. 

1. First of all his mother, whom he worshiped and 
obeyed. Poets have asked: "What is home without a 
mother?" The patriot and philosopher may ask with deeper 
anxiety: "What is a nation without mothers?" Houston, 
Washington, Marion and all great men owe their greatness to 
mother. "A dewdrop on the baby plant may warp the giant 
oak forever, or nourish that baby plant into the giant oak of 
the forest." Oh! that-the Lord would send us a Luther, a 
Calvin, a Wesley and a Spurgeon to arouse the world to the 
importance of real mothers. One such mother as Mary Wash- 
ington or Mrs. Houston is worth a whole brigade of preaching 
or political "female brethren." 

2. The second great formative power that erected these 
pillars of Houston's greatness, was his dear old teacher, Dr. 



Dk. Kufus C. Burleson. 587 

Anderson. This grand old man quickened into intense activ- 
ity and molded all the powers of his soul. He taught him how 
to think, how to commune with his own soul, with books, and 
above all, with God, the father of light. And, next to pious 
mothers, our country needs great teachers, but I do not mean 
"lesson hearers, time killers and salary grabbers." These are 
already about as numerous and about as profitable as the lo- 
custs of Egypt. 

At the great National Educational Association at St. Paul 
I met an army of about ten thousand teachers representatives 
of every State in the Union; yet I fear if Socrates, Anderson, 
Wayland, or our own Texas McKenzie had been there they 
would have been compelled to borrow the lamp of Diogones 
and walk through that mighty army crying: "I seek a 
teacher; who can show me a teacher; a real God sent teacher?" 
Elijah, a teacher sent from God, is a grand model. "When he 
would restore the son of the Shunamite mother to life he lov- 
ingly put his hands in the child's hands, his feet on the child's 
feet, his mouth on the child's mouth, his heart on tne child's 
heart and prayed, "Oh, God, let this child live again." The 
boy was quickened into vigorous life and flew into the loving 
embrace of mother. So the real teacher never stands upon the 
stilts of normal or abnormal methods, nor clothes himself with 
the mantle of professional dignity, but with the tender love 
of a father he takes the student by the hand, places his mind, 
his heart and his whole being in loving sympathy with the 
student and thus quickens his whole being into activity. A 
great teacher not only seeks to make his students scholars, 
but true citizens and patriots and a blessing to their fellow- 
men, and to elevate them to usefulness on earth and glory in 
heaven. 

General Houston, in the last trying hours of his life, 
quoted the sayings of mother and Dr. Anderson more than 
all others, and he longed to meet that angel mother and his 
noble teacher in that "land that is fairer than day." 

3. The third cause forming his great character was his 
devotion to reading good books and the "God of Books" se- 
lected by his wise teacher. He had a profound disgust for 
novels and sensational reading in every form, whether in po- 
etry or prose; books or newspapers. We all know how im- 



588 The Life and Writings of 

portant to health and strength of the body is nutritious food,, 
but, alas, how few know the importance of healthy and abund- 
ant food for the mind and soul. 

4. But the crowning glory and power of the formative 
influences was his firm and ever abiding faith in God as an 
all-wise and ever present Heavenly Father. This was his 
anchor of hope on the dark and stormy ocean. This was his. 
Gibralter when assailed by a thousand adversities. Like Lu- 
ther before the Diet of Worms, he said : "On this firm rock 
I stand, and living or dying all will be well." Oh, that these 
powerful formative influences might erect seven golden pil- 
lars of character on which every young man and young woman 
in Texas may become a moral temple of beauty and glory. 



GENERAL LAWRENCE SULLIVAN ROSS. 

A TRUE MODEL. 

All Texas is mourning for our noble and distinguished 
fellow-citizen, General Lawrence Sullivan Ross. I rejoice to* 
see the leading journals of Texas are teeming with eulogies 
on his long, varied and distinguished success as a citizen,, 
soldier, governor and college president, all of which positions 
he filled with honor to himself and great profit to the whole 
State of Texas. I wish to present him briefly as a model for 
the youth of Texas and the South. There never was a time 
when Texas and the South, and indeed the whole world, 
needed great and good men more than at the present hour. 
Longfellow has truly said : 

"Lives of great men all remind us, 
We can make our lives sublime; 
And, departing leave behind us 
Foot-prints on the sands of time. 

Therefore the youth, especially of our own land, should 
study profoundly the lives of such good and great men as 
General Ross. General Ross was born at Bentonsport, Ohio,. 
in 1838. Next year his father came to Texas. He died at 
the A. and M. College, College Station, Texas, on the third 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 589 

of January, 1898, amid a noble army of loving students and 
professors. I have known General Eoss intimately from 
boyhood and loved him tenderly. In 1856 he entered Baylor 
University. He was then eighteen years old. He was 
noted for modesty, firmness, good nature, a clear, well bal- 
anced mind, and devotion to duty. His record in Baylor 
will show that he never received a single demerit, was prompt 
in every duty and among the best in all his classes. He was 
especially prompt and attentive at all the chapel services, and 
has often said that my chapel talks and clear explanations of 
Scripture had been a grand inspiration to him through his 
whole life. In a great revival at Independence he became 
deeply concerned about religion, but his roommates were all 
older than himself, and ridiculed the idea of boys becoming 
Christians, and neither his parents nor the family where he 
boarded were at that time Christians. Notwithstanding all 
these obstacles, he attended the meetings every night and was 
an earnest listener and inquirer after the way of salvation. 
One night, while I was preaching on the work of the Holy 
Spirit in aiding our infirmities and leading sinners to Jesus, 
he saw and joyfully embraced the plan of salvation, and ac- 
cepted Jesus as his Savior. It is a remarkable and joyful 
coincident that in the same hall and very near the same spot 
General Sam Houston was converted just two years before, 
while I was preaching on the text, "Except ye be converted 
and become as the little child ye cannot enter the kingdom of 
God." But as all his roommates and family associations dis- 
couraged young Boss he did not join the church. But while 
a student of the Wesley an University at Florence, Alabama, 
Iris Christian hopes and evidences brightened, and he joined 
the Methodist church, and lived a Christian life, amid all the 
varied scenes and duties of life, whether on the battlefield or 
in the governor's chair, or in college halls. And when the 
last moment came, when loved ones were weeping around 
him, he was enabled in joyful confidence to commit his de- 
voted wife and children and students to God, and say "All is 
well, all is well, I will soon be free from all pain, and in the 
land of the redeemed." General Boss, like our illustrious 
General B. E. Lee, believed "duty" one of the greatest words 
in the English language. He asked every day, "what is my 



590 The Life and Writings of 

duty, and how can I discharge it in the fear of God and for the 
good of men, and glory of Texas." He devoted all his being 
to his duty as a son, a brother, a student, a citizen, a husband, 
a father, a soldier, a governor and a college president. In all 
these spheres he has left glorious monuments of success chat 
will live as long as the flowers bloom on the prairies or the 
waves of the gulfs dash on our shores. Lest some may think 
my love and admiration for Governor Ross leads me to over- 
estimate his devotion to duty, I will give one illustration while 
he was a student of Baylor University : 

One night, between eleven and twelve o'clock, I was 
making my usual round of inspection. As I got near the room 
where young Ross and his two friends boarded, I heard a tre- 
mendous noise, scuffling and turning over of chairs, mingled 
with bitter oaths. "I will cut your heart out," and "No, you 
won't. I will cool you off." Looking in at the widow I 
saw his two roommates, one weighing about 164 pounds and 
the other about 90. They had got to ccuf fling after they 
had gone to bed, and the big one had kicked the little one out 
on the floor; and he, taking a chair, was going to deal ven- 
geance on his antagonist, but the big boy had thrown him 
down and gotten on top of him and bumping his head on the 
floor saying, "I will cool you off;" while the little one, with 
bitter oaths, said: "I will cut your heart out." I looked on 
for a few minutes, thinking young Ross would certainly in- 
terfere for the little fellow that was being treated so rudely, 
but he sat at the table poring over his lessons just as intently 
as if all was as still as a May morning. After looking at this 
imposition of a big boy over one so much smaller, I found I 
was getting ardent and felt I might violate one of my great 
maxims of life, "Never get mad," I pushed open the door, 
rushed in, took the big boy by the shirt collar, jerked him off, 
and, having no "Solomon's friend," I used my left hand so 
vigorously that it was very red next morning, and setting him 
down in a chair, I said, "Sir, you sit there," and, turning to 
Mr. Ross, I said : "Mr. Ross, what do you mean by allowing 
this big boy to impose upon that little fellow?" He rose up 
with as much dignity as when he was inaugurated governor, 
and said: "Dr. Burleson, please excuse me. I came to 
Baylor University to study. I want to stand head in all my . 



Dr. Rtjftjs C. Burleson. 591 

classes; my friends and roommates here never study; they are 
always scuffling and fussing about something, and if I at- 
tempted to settle or take any part in their fusses I would have 
no time to study; you will, therefore, please excuse me." I 
took him cordially by the hand, saying : "That is right, my 
dear young friend; you go out on that line and you will be 
governor of Texas some day, and I will vote for you, and 
these boys will go to ruin." Young Eoss has not only, as I 
predicted} become governor of Texas, but has left a monu- 
ment of glory never to be forgotten; while his roommates 
have become sad failures. One of them, while carrying a 
drove of beeves to St. Louis, one night while camping in the 
Indian Territory, attempted "to cool off" .ome of the drivers, 
and they chopped open his skull and buried him and herded 
the beeves over his grave. Some days after the hogs rooted 
up his body, and the Indians buried him as an unknown cow- 
boy. Oh, what an example, young men, you have here of 
the two paths, one leading upward to honor and glory on 
earth, and in heaven, while the other leads down to shame 
and an unknown grave and lake of fire and eternal burning. 
Which path, I ask in God's name, will you follow? But, 
while with General Lee, Governor Ross regarded "duty" as 
one of the greatest words in the English language, he be- 
lived, with Ben Franklin, that good humor was one of the 
noblest characteristics of true manhood. And he cultivated 
good humor and cheerfulness at all times. He had a good 
word and pleasant smile on all occasions for even the humblest, 
white or black, native or foreign. He was equally eminent for 
firmness, without which life must ever be a failure. Thou- 
sands of men who might have made life a grand success allow 
some pleasure to bewitch them or some difficulty to turn 
them away from duty and they become sad failures. Noth- 
ing but iron firmness and indomitable will enabled General 
Ross to meet and overcome the great difficulties confronting 
him as a student, as a soldier, as a governor and as a college 
president. But his firmness, combined with good humor, en- 
abled him to overcome great difficulties with the least possi- 
ble friction and offense to his opponents. Another great ex- 
cellence of Governor Ross, which I implore all young men to 
study and follow at any and every sacrifice, is full preparation 



592 The Life and Writings of 

for life's great duties. Alas ! how many thousands of young 
men and young ladies do, like Ahimaaz, run before they get 
ready, and, after outrunning their associates for a while, just 
at the crisis, when expecting a glorious reward, they arc com- 
pelled to stand aside as shameful failures. The curse of this 
age is superficial men in every department of life; thousands 
of teachers, preachers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, like Ahi- 
maaz, are rushing into their professions without preparation. 
I am happy to know that General Ross has said that, hearing 
one of my chapel talks or Bible lessons in Baylor University 
on the "terrible failure of Ahimaaz," fired his soul with a 
sublime determination to get ready and prepare for the bat- 
tle of life. It was his fixed purpose to get ready that in- 
duced him, after his first great victory over the Comanches at 
Antelope Hills, and while all Texas was ringing with his 
praises, to go back to the Wesleyan University at Florence, 
Ala., and graduate. It should be remembered that it was his 
great patriotic devotion to Texas that induced him as a col- 
lege student, at home during vacation, to rush forward to 
meet and repel the Comanches. General Boss also gives to 
the youth of the South a glorious example of magnamity 
and honor in never supplanting or undermining any man. 
He would sooner have plucked out his right eye, or cut off 
his right arm, than be guilty of such infinite meanness. He 
ever cherished the golden rule of our Saviour, "In honor pre- 
fer one another." Personal ambition, self -promotion and self- 
praise are the fearful sins of this age. Oh, that our whole 
country was full of such men as Governor Koss. Another glo- 
rious excellence of our lamented friend is his heroic courage, 
that never faltered in the hour of peril, as was dmor-strated 
in scores and hundreds of instances, in peace and war. His 
courage in his early victories over the Comanches at Antelope 
Hills and Wichita Mountains, his heroism displayed in so 
many battles during" the Confederate war, would fill a vol- 
ume. I have only time and space here to say that his cour- 
age and skill as a general made him the peer of Robert E. 
Xee, Stonewall Jackson, Albert Sidney Johnson and that 
galaxy of heroes that adorn our Southland. But the crowning 
glory of his excellency is his patriotism or love of Texas. He 
could say from the depth of his soul"If I prefer not the glory 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 593 

of Texas to my chief joy, let my right hand forget her cun- 
ning and my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth.'" Texas 
was from his childhood the field of his earliest toils and ex- 
ploits, and Texas crowned him with his highest honors, and I 
rejoice to hear that all Texas will join in erecting a grand 
monument to the spotless life, the heroic devotion and the 
glorious achievements in peace and war of Lawrence Sulli- 
van Ross. 



SENATOR RICHARD COKE. 

This illustrious Texan is a grand model for all the youth 
of our beautiful Southland to study and imitate. 'No young 
man can fail of honorable success who will study profoundly 
and follow strictly the example of this great and good states- 
man. He was a splendid example of what every young man 
can do by hard study, by tireless industry and incorruptible 
integrity. 

Governor Coke was not endowed by nature with extraor- 
dinary talent, wit nor eloquence, but was endowed with the 
nobler qualities, of strong common sense, judgment and un- 
swerving integrity. 

He was descended from an old and highly honorable 
family in Virginia. He was born in that grand old State in 
1829. He graduated at William and Mary's College, the 
second oldest college in the United States, and the Alma Ma- 
ter of such illustrious men as Benjamin Harrison, Thomas 
Nelson, Peyton Randolph, Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe, 
John Marshall, Governor Tyler and a host of other great and 
good men. 

After graduating, he studied law profoundly, and when 
admitted to the bar he came to Texas and settled at "Waco, in 
1850, being twenty-one years old. He secured a little office 
on "Bridge street," and went vigorously to work. He made 
a solemn vow that he would never visit saloons, play cards, 
nor visit race grounds. 

The following fact, illustrating his character and emi- 
nently instructive to all young men, is told of him in that 
early day: A wealthy farmer came to Waco to employ a 



594 The Life and Writings of 

lawyer to prosecute a land suit involving several thousand 
acres of land. He had been advised to employ a certain bril- 
liant young lawyer, but found him drunk in a saloon. He 
was then advised to employ another very talented young law- 
ler, but after a long hunt he found him in a billiard hall in 
a very hotly contested game of billiards. He went back to 
his Waco friend, saying, "I will be ruined if I lose my case, 
and I cannot afford to entrust it to any lawyer who gets 
drunk or fools away his time in billiard saloons. Do all of 
your lawyers get drunk or play billiards?" His friend said: 
"No, there is a young fellow here that never does either, but 
he spends his whole time plodding over his law books in his 
office." The farmer said, "He is my man. I will give him 
my case." And the plodding young lawyer gained the im- 
portant case with a large fee and the lifelong friendship of 
the old farmer, who secured him many other land cases and 
helped to elect him governor. But, alas, the two brilliant 
young lawyers made utter failures. 

The industrious young lawyer, very fortunately, at this 
time met a young lady of rare beauty, modesty and refine- 
ment. The young Virginian confessed that he had never 
seen so lovely a young lady as Miss Mary Home, the daugh- 
ter of Dr. Home. 

By hard study and work he found time from his other 
suits to file the most important suit of his life, the suit for the 
heart and hand of the wealthy farmer's daughter. The 
young lady readily recognized the noble heart and grent 
soul of the young Virginian, and, refusing many brilliant, 
fascinating suitors, she gave her heart and hand to Richard 
Coke, and became his guiding star and inspiration till his 
heart ceased to beat, May 14, 1897. 

Thus happily equipped, the young lawyer entered 
fully the battle of life. Very soon his devotion to duty, his 
clear, cool judgment and reliability were universally recog- 
nized and admired. He was deemed capable of filling any po- 
sition, public or private. He never sought office, but was 
ever ready to heed the call of his fellow-citizens. When the 
dark, stormy clouds of Secession darkened our horizon in 
1861, while he deeply deplored the terrible condition of things, 
he shouldered his musket, and bidding his lovely wife and 



Dk. Rufus C. Burleson. 595 

children good-bye entered the ranks as a private soldier in 
Colonel Speight's regiment. His great worth was at once 
recognized, and he was elected Major. He performed his 
duties through the whole war with great courage and fidelity, 
never shrinking from the perils of battle, however fierce and 
deadly. 

When the dark storm clouds were over, he returned to 
his beloved home, and resolved to do his whole duty and be 
an honest, faithful citizen of the United States. In the dark 
and terrible hour of reconstruction his clear judgment was 
sought on all important issues. He was first, in 1865, ap- 
pointed District Judge. Then he was elected as one of the 
Judges of the Supreme Court. In 1873 he was elected Gov- 
ernor over the unfortunate and ill-fated E. J. Davis. In 
1876 he was re-elected by an overwhelming majority. A few 
days after his inauguration he was elected to the United 
States Senate, which office he held until 1895, when his fee- 
ble health demanded that he should retire to the privacy of 
home life. 

In all of these various and important duties he displayed 
his splendid talent, his undying courage and his immaculate 
honesty. 



THE MIRAGE IN TEXAS. 

It is remarkable how few writers of Texas history and 
scenery have described this beautiful phenomenon in Texas. 

Mirage is a Erench word, meaning wonderful, and it is 
truly wonderful. It is often seen and accurately described in 
the deserts of Africa, Job called it the "Deceitful Daughter 
of the Desert." Philosophers tell us it is produced by a re- 
fraction of the sun's rays falling on a strata of denser air, 
usually near some lake, river or sea. 

The refraction of the rays, reflected on the denser, humid 
air, sometimes presents the appearanc of a bautiful lake of 
water. And it usually magnifies all objects four-fold. Some- 
times presenting them in an inverted position. 

This illusion was so perfect that during Napoleon's inva- 
sion of Egypt his men were sure that they saw beautiful lakes 



596 The Life and "Writings of 

of water, and, breaking ranks, rushed to what they thought 
was lakes of water; but, alas, it was only the mirage or Job's 
"Deceitful Daughter of the Desert. 7 ' 

That this illusion might not deceive travelers, the 
scientist, Monge, wrote a very learned description of the 
mirage and its cause. 

I shall never forget the first time that I ever saw the 
mirage. I had been in Texas nearly three years, but had never 
heard that this remarkable phenomenon was visible in Texas. 

In 1850 I was going from Houston to Wharton to aid 
the pastor, Eev. Noah Hill, in a protracted meeting. As it 
was an overflow year, the whole country was flooded. Oyster 
creek, Brazos river and San Bernard were all overflowed. I 
— swam Oyster creek and the sloughs on both sides, and, my 
feet being wet all day, I had taken a terrible cold and a fever 
in my head. And on the vast prairie between Kichmond and 
San Bernard I saw great lakes which disappeared as I came 
near them. I was amazed, and more so when I saw the cows 
and wolves on the prairie fifteen and twenty and even twenty- 
five feet high. I feared the burning fever in my head had 
deranged all my senses and might dethrone reason and leave 
me all alone on that vast prairie amid the enormous cattle and 
wolves. It was an awful, solemn moment. As I- rode along 
I tested my mental faculties by repeating a number of pass- 
ages in Yirgil and Homer and other favorite authors. 

I reviewed also some sermons on difficult subjects, and 
found my mind unusually clear. After a few miles I saw 
Duncan's ranch. But all the buildings were forty or fifty 
feet high, till I got near them when they resumed their real 
size. 

I fortunately met a bright shepherd boy 16 or IT years 
old. I said "My young friend, what kind of cows and wolves 
are these that you have out here on the prairie?" 

"0 Massy, dey is jest de common sort." 

I asked him what made them look so big till you get near 
them, when they are the natural size. 

"Oh, dey is jest loomin' when dey do dat." 

I could but laugh, for I never before realized what loom- 
ing meant. I then said "what about those beautiful lakes of 
water that I saw on the prairie." 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 597 

He laughed heartily and saidj "God bless your soul 
Massy, dey is nothing at- all, dey just makes out like dey is 
something, just to fool people. Massy, you just ought to have 
seen how they fooled Jake when Massy first brought him from 
Old Virginia to help me herd cattle. Jake avid me was herd- 
in 7 cattle on the prairie and he Wanted a drink and said, 'I 
will run over to that lake and get a drink/ I told him there 
was no water in it, but he declared he saw it with his own 
eyes; then he galloped over there and found nothing at all; 
then he seed it in an another place and he run over there, but 
it was gone. He then seed it over on the Bernard, and it was 
not there, and he came runnin' back scared, and said C I do 
believe dis country is hanted, and I am going to beg Massy 
to carry me back to Old Virginy." 

I give this experience of Jake and myself to show what 
a complete optical illusion the Mirage is. When I reached 
"Wharton, I told my dear old friend and brother, Governor 
Horton, of my experience, and found that his was very similar 
to mine. 

It is worth a trip to the coast country, especially the Ber- 
nard Valley, to see the Mirage of Texas. 

But as God created everything for some purpose, for what 
purpose was the Mirage created? I think it may be to teach 
■all men, especially the young, to beware of things that look so 
beautiful in the future, but when approached they vanish into 
thin air. 

Oh, how many young people, like Jake, waste their lives 
in chasing phantoms of wealth, political fame, social favor 
and the other modern mirages, when they should only seek 
what they know to be real and abiding. 



AN. EAKLY TEXAS MISSION AEY AMONG THE 

WOLVES. 

I will give in this article, a Prions adventure I had 
among the wolves one night in 1849. I was then pastor at 
Houston and was to preach the introductory sermon before the 
Union Baptist Association that met at Huntsville, seventy- 



598 The Life and Writings of 

five miles from Houston. I left on Wednesday morning and 
rode on horseback thirty-five miles. I spent the first night 
with Mr. Arnold, a highly intelligent, wealthy Methodist 
brother. The next day I had forty miles to travel, and at the 
breakfast table, Brother Arnold said to his good wife, "Mrs. 
Arnold, there is not a single house between Montgomery and 
Huntsville, a distance of twenty-five miles, and Brother Burle- 
son will get no dinner unless you put him up a lunch, and I 
see he is fond of mutton. " And the good lady put me up a 
"Benjamin's portion" of the good fat mutton on the breakfast 
table. 

After riding fifteen miles I reached Montgomery county. 
I learned a Baptist lady had recently settled there, and in those 
days, Baptists being so scarce, only 1,900 in Texas, when the 
missionaries heard of a Baptist in a destitute town they always 
"rounded him up," as stock men say of stock on the range. 
So I called to see this Baptist lady and was delighted to find 
her an elegant Christian lady from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the 
wife of Colonel Aaron Shannon, a wealthy farmer, and also a 
devoted friend of Dr. Basil Manly, president of the Alabama 
University. She was rejoiced to see a Baptist preacher, and 
was longing to have regular preaching and a church organized 
in Montgomery. She had a large family of intelligent chil- 
dren; the eldest daughter was grown, thoroughly educated and 
performed well on the piano. Very soon she said, "Brother 
Burleson, there is another Baptist lady, Mrs. Dr. Arnold, just 
settled in Montgomery from Providence, Rhode Island, and 
she is so anxious to see a Baptist preacher, I will send over 
for her and she will come and we will all be together." I 
said, "I would rejoice to see the lady, but must get to Hunts- 
ville to-night, and it is twenty-five miles distant, and I have 
been told that I must get through the Big Thicket and San 
Jacinto bottom before dark, or I will be "swamped." Soon 
the lady came and I found her to be a Baptist of great piety 
and intelligence. She knew my dear old president, Dr. R. E. 
Pattison, when he was pastor at Providence^ Rhode Island, 
and of course loved him ardently, as all Christians did. He 
was my beloved president while a student of the Western 
Baptist Theological Institute at Covington, Kentucky. She 
also knew and esteemed highly my old Professor Dr. Ezekial 



Dr. Rtjfus C. Burleson. 590 

J. Robinson, associated with Dr. Pattison in the Theological 
Seminary. She was delighted to meet one far away in Texas, 
who knew these great good men. And Mrs. Shannon was 
equally delighted to find that I knew so well her favorite Dr. 
Manly. We were all delighted to talk over the noble Christian 
excellency of those we had loved so well in former days. But 
while we talked, time flew, and I reminded the ladies that I 
had twenty-five miles to ride that evening, and had been told 
that I must get through the Big Thicket and San Jacinto bot- 
tom before dark or I would be "swamped." But they said, Oh, 
you must stay till after dinner, it is such a treat to meet a 
Baptist preacher, especially one who knows so intimately Drs. 
Manly, Pattison and Robinson. 

The young lady added additional attractions by some 
beautiful songs and music on the piano, that had charmed 
me in my college days. And though I knew I ought to be 
going, I was persuaded to stay till after dinner, for which I 
was sorry to see they were making very special preparation. 
And after the dinner, the young lady, waving her beautiful 
curls, said, "Mr. Burleson, I want you to explain some things 
in the Bible, about fore-knowledge and pre-destination, 
also some passages in Romans and Revelation. I knew I was 
doing wrong to stay any longer, but as I had never at that time 
seen Mrs. Burleson, the waving curls, bright eyes and soft 
voice prevailed. After answering as best I could, these deep 
and profound questions on theology, and as 1 was hurrying 
away, the ladies kindly said, "Brother Burleson, if you will 
take a nigh cut through the Big Thicket, you can save six 
miles; the people on horseback often take that nigh cut, rather 
than go the wagon road which is six miles furl her." I gladly 
accepted the suggestion "to take the nigh cut." For two 
miles through the prairie, and three miles through the timber, 
it was a plain, well traveled road, being used for hauling 
timber, but beyond that point the road was blockaded by 
immense pine logs, blown down by a fearful tornado that 
swept over that country a few years before and caused the road 
to be abandonded. 

This fact the ladies had forgotten or perchance had never 
known. But under whip and spur I forced my horse to leap 
over these immense pine logs, across the dim road. 



600 The Life and Writings of 

Sometimes the logs were too large to leap over and I 
had to force my horse through briers and thorns, and tore my 
Sunday pants. But I made all the speed possible, eager to 
get through San Jacinto and out of the Big Thicket before 
dark. 

. But, alas, "the way of transgression is always hard," and 
before I reached San Jacinto bottom, having been so delayed 
in leaping over immense logs and forcing my way through 
thorns and briers, it was dark, so dark I could not see the road, 
and my poor horse, tired and sweating, either could not or 
would not keep the path and I soon found I was out of the road 
and tangled up amid thick brush and vines. But I felt my way 
back into the dim track, only to find very soon that I was 
again out among thick bushes. I said to myself, "if I wander 
away from the road in this dense thicket, I may not be able 
to find my way back at all, so I will stop and rest till the moon 
rises, which I knew would be about 11 o'clock that night. 

I sat by a large Sycamore tree and reflected on allowing 
dear, good ladies to persuade me to do that which I knew I 
ought not to do, and then to tell me to take a "nigh cut." I 
remembered with sadness how often I had learned in child- 
hood and boyhood the evils of doing wrong, and then taking 
a "nigh cut." 

But while I was reflecting on the folly and evil of taking 
a "nigh cut," I heard the terrible howl of a wolf. T said 'that 
is lonely.' But it was lonely not long, for soon another howled, 
and then another, and it seemed to me there were at least 
fifty joining in the fearful howling. But there may not have 
been more than a dozen, as it, is a well known fact that one 
wolf, either in religion or politics, will make more noise than 
a dozen honest curs. And their howling was more hideous to 
me because they were coming nearer and nearer, no doubt 
smelling the ample supply of mutton which good Sister 
Arnold had put up for my dinner. 

I remembered that Daniel in the lion's den, and Paul, 
when he fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, prayed. And I 
followed their example. And, kneeling down, I prayed for 
God's protection against the wild beasts of that dark forest 
and promised Him solemnly that I would never again be 
guilty of the folly of letting ladies, young or old, or preachers, 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 601 

or any living being, persuade me to do wrong and then take 
a "nigh cut." 

But while I was thus praying I heard a wolf coming 
through the thick cane-breaks near the road. 

I then remembered the Bible said, "Watch as well as 
pray." I knew also that men and devils and wild beasts were 
afraid of a brave man, so I resolved to be brave. 

I also remembered that it had been said that music would 
even charm wild beasts, so I concluded I would sing, and I 
sang with a loud voice my favorite songs : 

"How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord is laid for your faith 

in His excellent word." 
'Tis religion that can give sweetest pleasures while we live, 'tis 
religion must supply solid comfort when we die." 

I thought at one time that I would climb the Sycamore, 
but remembered that in the dense forest I might have to 
remain up in that Sycamore much longer than Zaccheus did, 
and besides I felt it would be cruel to leave my horse that 
had been guilty of no wrong, to be devoured by the wolves. 

I also thought that I would give them the mutton that 
my good sister put up for my lunch, but I knew that the 
mutton would not be even a taste for all of them, and they 
might conclude to make out their supper on goat meat, in 
which case the erring Texas missionary would fare badly. 

So I continued to pray, and watch and sing, but when I 
came to that verse, "The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for 
repose, that soul though all hell should endeavor to shake, I 
will never, no never forsake." 

I could but feel that dark night in the San Jacinto bot- 
tom, among the Texas wolves, that my foundation was a little 
shaky. But I continued praying, watching, and singing till 
11 o'clock, when the moon rose clear and cloudless. 

Being able to see the dim path-way, I thought T would 
put whip to my horse and make good speed; but then I re- 
membered the value of courage and I rode quietly along 
singing loud, "How firm a foundation ye saints of the Lord." 

After traveling some distance through this dense bottom, 
I came to San Jacinto river, made ever glorious by the deliver- 
ance of Texas from the bondage of Mexico at the battle of 



602 The Life and Writings of 

San Jacinto in 1836, and that night, memorable by my de- 
liverance. 

Soon I saw the dim light of a dwelling and soon heard 
the barking of dogs, which was sweet music compared to the 
howling of the wolves. I rode up to the gate and called "hel- 
lo," there was no reply but the loud barking of the dogs. 
I cried "hello" again. I then heard a low solemn voice of an 
old man exclaiming, "Oh, Lord, have mercy, Oh, Lord have 
mercy." I called again, but only heard that solemn response, 
Oh, Lord ! I said, 'is it possible that Indians and robbers have 
murdered everybody else and left only one old man ! 

I got off my horse, and fighting my way through the 
barking dogs, I went to the open door, and there was a ven- 
erable old man, nearly eighty years old, kneeling down with 
a large family of children and grandchildren, kneeling 
around him. As soon as he said Amen, two of his sons 
arose, and coming to the door said, "Please excuse us, we 
make it the rule of our lives, never to interrupt father'.? pray- 
ers, and he was deaf and did not hear you, and we could not 
interrupt his prayer." 

I soon found it was that grand old pioneer and pillar in 
the Methodist church — Robertson, whom I had met and 
known so favorably during the glorious revival at Huntsville 
in 1848. 

He with his family had returned from a Methodist meet- 
ing at the Methodist church, near his house, and it had been 
his custom for forty years never to omit family prayer, and 
though it was nearly 12 o'clock, they were thus engaged. 

They gave me a joyful reception and expressed profound 
sympathy for my terrible ordeal amid the wolves and dense 
forest of Big Thicket and the San Jacinto bottom. 

The lesson I learned that night I have remembered dis- 
tinctly for fifty years. and have often used it in my lectures 
to the young in Sabbath schools and chapel services ; to beware 
of taking "nigh cuts," and especially of letting anybody on 
earth, male or female, saint or sinner, persuade you to do 
wrong, and then tell you to take a "nigh cut." 

And I beg the readers, especially the young, to beware 
of taking a nigh cut, either in education morals or business. 



PART V 



DR. BURLESON AS A PREACHER 



WITH SELECTED SERMONS. 



Dk. Kufus C. Burleson. 607 



DR. BURLESON AS A PREACHER 

WITH SELECTED SERMONS. 



BURLESON AS A PREACHER., 
By W. B. Denson. 

That some men are called by God to preach his gospel 
there can be no question; that he places his stamp in their 
forehead and His signet ring upon their fingers there can be 
no doubt. When He calls them to proclaim His message to 
a lost world, it would seem there could be no mistake as to the 
commission. 

The presence, the power, the approval, the sustaining- 
force of God, move some preachers forward to such crowning 
success that we see God's hand in it all. Dr. Rufus C. 
Burleson was one of these. 

Until he was nineteen years of age, Dr. Burleson had a 
consuming ambition to become a distinguished lawyer and 
brilliant orator. 

His youthful spirit heard down the years the applause of 
admiring Senates and the huzzahs of the multitude as they 
cheered his successes. 

But on one occasion, when he heard the ministry of his 
own and his father's church berated for their ignorance, God 
moved him to pledge his splendid talents to the uplifting of 
the ministry of the Baptist Church and to the saving of lost 
men. How sacredly he kept that pledge men and angels can 
witness to-day. The hundreds of young ministers whom he 
educated free of charge at Baylor University, and who to-day 



608 The Life and Writings of 

stand as a mighty phalanx for G-od on the watch towers of 
Zion, many with thorough classical education, are monuments 
more enduring than marble to his wonderful life work. 

As a minister of the gospel he came to Texas. He relates 
that after landing in Galveston he wandered down to the sea 
beach, and while he watched the waves breaking upon the 
shore, and heard the murmuring of many voices telling of the 
romantic chivalry of the young Republic, which had just put 
on her statehood, he knelt down upon that beach, and as John 
Knox prayed to God, "Give me Scotland or I die," so he 
prayed, "Give me Texas for Jesus or I die." From that 
moment began a career unparalleled for usefulness in all this 
land. How like the knightly Knox was he in all his after life. 
With measureless faith in God and courage undaunted, he 
blazed out a straight patway to glorious distinction. 

He learned in his early ministry the great fact that 
preaching is vain unless the hearts of the hearers are reached 
and moved by a magnetic touch. 

To be a wise and thorough teacher of God's word ; to con- 
vince the mind of man of his relation and responsibility to 
God is one of the indispensible powers of a great preacher. 
Without this there can be no great force or lasting good in the 
proclamation of the gospel. There are few men so far from 
the kingdom of God who will refuse to be shown, as an intel- 
lectual pleasure, the beautiful stairway to heaven. But, oh ! 
how few can be moved to walk in that way. To draw men 
out of the rut in which they have long traveled, to change the 
whole current of their lives, requires the co-operation of two 
mighty forces. 

First. That the duty and way shall be made plain. 

Second. That the heart shall be melted and its fountains 
broken up. 

Dr. Burleson had a remarkable memory. He not only 
remembered Scripture, history and poetry, men and women, 
their names and faces, but he knew the family history of 
thousands of Texans, and this familiarity with their ante- 
cedents made him the friend of all those with whom he came 
in contact. He carried with him a great storehouse of apt 
and forcible illustrations, which gave to his every sermon 



Dr. Kttfus C. Burleson. 609 

singular power and persuasion. He learned from the peerless 
Gallilean preacher the force of apt illustrations. 

Dr. Burleson was a classical scholar of high order, yet 
his sermons abounded in the simplest, purest language. 
"When I first knew him he was full of intense enthusiasm, and 
carried into every sermon the fervor of a soul on fire. Gifted 
in an eminent degree with the highest order of eloquence, 
impassioned and earnest in his delivery, he bore down upon 
his subject with such dashing force that he became the admi- 
ration and delight of every audience. 

In his early ministry he was particularly fond of holding 
revival meetings. In them he was wonderfully strong with 
God and man. Sound in doctrine, with a thorough theo- 
logical training, an intimate acquaintance with the Holy 
Scriptures, with a commanding presence, with a keen black 
eye which charmed, a ringing, eloquent voice which moved 
and stirred the souls of men, he carried captive his hearers, 
and they were borne irresistibly to his conclusions and charmed 
to follow where he led. 

At Independence, in Washington County of this State, 
I heard him preach through four successive years, from the 
beginning of the year 1854 to the close of 1857. 

His audiences were learned and cultivated, the profes- 
sors of both the male and female departments of Baylor Uni- 
versity, General Sam Houston, Justice "Wheeler of the 
Supreme Court of Texas, and others of the same kind, made 
up his congregations. All over Texas judges, lawyers and 
statesmen, as well as the plain people, hung upon his lips as 
he unfolded the great plan of salvation. 

He never failed to instruct and delight the young people, 
for all of whom he had a father's love, and he carried thou- 
sands of them, bound with chains of love, to his Master's feet. 

Though he possessed a high order of reverence, he had 
a keen sense of the ridiculous, which never escaped him, and 
out of which came a wealth of refined merriment. This ele- 
ment of his character gave a zest and freshness to his sermons, 
always interesting. I remember to have heard him preach a 
sermon about 1855 upon the judgment. It was one of the 
master efforts of his life. Its beauties and its terrors will 
linger with me to the last day of my life, and when I stand in 

39 



610 The Life and "Writings of 

that day of reckoning before the Master I expect to go back 
to that sermon. He assembled a countless host before the 
judgment bar of God; the seal of the great book is broken; 
the record of every life is manifest; proclamation of the final 
decrees of life and death is made by God Himself. He por- 
trayed that wonderful panorama around the throne of God as 
the great Belgic artist, "Weirtz, pictured the "Final Triumph 
of Christ/' which I saw in the art gallery of Brussels, Bel- 
gium, and in which it seemed the glory of the universe was 
focused in his face. 

In every sermon he had a distinctive purpose, well denned 
and clearly cut. He thought for himself and had the courage 
of his convictions, though he had little patience with what is 
known as "progressive Christianity." 

His first sermon, preached at Covington, Kentucky, June 
10th, 1847, upon a The Ministry of Angels," shows that he 
read the Bible for himself, that he construed it by his own 
intelligence, and stood firmly by the law once given to the 
saints without subtraction or addition. The pulpit was not his 
place for exhibiting his learning, but for ''preaching Christ 
and him crucified," ever clinging to the cross and a risen 
Savior. 

Statesmen, judges, professional men crowded his con- 
gregations. Under his preaching, General Sam Houston, the 
Father of Texas, was convicted and converted, and as a little 
child this old warrior was led by Dr. Burleson down into the 
water and baptized as Jesus was, and the grim old hero became 
a beautiful Christian. 

Under his preaching I, too, was led to Christ, and by him 
baptized. And possibly I ought to be able feebly, but imper- 
fectly, to describe the magnetic power with which this great 
preacher moved the hearts of the people to reach up after God 
and to cry out, "What must I do to be saved?" I can never 
forget that great meeting in October, 1854, at Independence, 
when he led a vast company of us (his students) to Christ. 
Happy memories ! 

"When Heaven came down our souls to greet 
And glory crowned the mercy seat." 

Twenty-three years afterward he assisted in my ordina- 
tion as a deacon at Galveston, Texas, and, with his hand upon 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 611 

my head, with tears of joy running down his face, he asked 
God to bless and make useful the life of his old student. So 
he was, indeed, my father in Israel; and when I reach that 
better land, he and my angel mother, whom he loved so well, 
will be standing together on the shore to greet me. And, oh, 
what a host he will welcome there, who will tell the Master 
how he plead His cause while he lived on earth. 

Perhaps the greatest sermon of his life was that on "Fam- 
ily Government" — a master production. In it he brings to 
his aid his vast and varied experiences with youth as President 
of Baylor University. Around it he concentrates the wisdom 
of sages and prophets, and, seemingly by inspiration, he points 
the parent along the rugged way of training and discipline, 
and shows, oh, so clearly, where affectionate tenderness ends 
and where stern duty begins. He touches the keynote of our 
civilization and sounds the alarm bell to sleeping parents. He 
answers the serious question, "How shall I govern my fam- 
ily?" in the light of Bible teaching and the wisest lessons of 
experience. How beautifully he impresses that golden rule, 
"Begin early." 

"A dew drop on the baby plant 
Hath warped the giant oak forever; 
A pebble in the streamlet cast 
Hath turned the course of many an ancient river." 

Dr. Burleson preached everywhere in Texas. His repu- 
tation and the love of the Baptist people for him gave him 
invitation to go everywhere and preach. "Wherever he 
believed there was an open door he went in and did his Mas- 
ter's work, and to-day his footprints are to be seen in every 
city and town throughout this empire State. The wilderness 
of East Texas, as well as the broad prairies of the west, have 
alike echoed his clarion voice, as he called men, in his Master's 
name, to "come up higher." 

From the rostrum of the chapel of Baylor University his 
greatest preaching was done in what were called his "chapel 
talks." There he preached every morning to the coming 
great men of the State; there he planted deep the everlasting 
mudsills of eternal truth; there he inspired young men and 
women with lofty ambition — ambition to be great and good. 



612 The Life and "Writings of 

The devotion of this man of God to Texas was beautiful. 
He loved her history and her traditions. Her broad, fertile 
prairies spoke to him of coming greatness, and he carried the 
blazing torch of God's word from city to city, from town to 
hamlet, from valley to hilltop, and from hilltop to mountain 
top, until he set Texas on fire with enthusiasm and love for 
God and saw her safe in the hands of God's hosts. 

After more than a half century of glorious labor the 
veteran preacher has sheathed his sword, ceased his warfare 
and gone home to God. His works do follow him. 

His epitaph should be : He made no compromise with 
sin. 

As one of his old students, who loved him living as his 
best friend, and who cherishes his memory now as one of the 
most faithful of God's servants, I pay this humble tribute to 
his undying name. 



SERMON ON FAMILY GOVERNMENT. 

The poet laureate of England has said : "I am part of 
all that I have met." 

I deeply feel the truth and power of these words. I 
have spent the last forty-seven years with the young in college 
halls. I have instructed in the last thirty-seven years in the 
halls of Baylor (Waco) University over four thousand five 
hundred young men and young ladies. As agent of the Pea- 
body fund in Texas I canvassed one hundred and twenty- 
seven counties and addressed not less than sixty thousand 
young people. During the last forty years I have addressed 
not less than two hundred thousand young Texans. 

Their sparkling eyes and laughing faces have mirrored 
so deep into my soul, and are so photographed upon my brain 
and heart, that "I am a part of the youth of Texas." 

No uninspired words thrill my heart so deeply as those 
of the great Von Richter : "I love God and little children," 
Their joys, their successes, fill me with rapture. Their sor- 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 613 

rows and failures fill my eyes with tears and my heart with 
grief. The young are a part of my being. 

Impelled with this burning love for young people, I 
discuss this subject, "Family Government." For let it never 
be forgotten that by family government I do not mean 
family tyranny or family despotism. Family government is 
as unlike family tyranny as the brightness of noon-day is to 
the darkness of midnight, or as the joys and harmony of 
heaven are unlike the blackness and horrors of hell. 

True family government, like all true government, is 
instituted for the sole benefit of the governed. And the sole 
end of all true government is to protect the innocent, to re- 
strain and prohibit all the passions and tendencies to evil, 
and to excite all the hopes and kindle all the aspirations for 
real joy and greatness. Or, as a great English statesman has 
said : "The true end of government is to make the pathway 
to virtue and morality easy, and the pathway of crime difficult 
and full of peril." Having defined family government, I 
call earnest attention to — 

First, its vast importance. The Holy Bible, the great 
fountain of all instruction on human happiness and destiny, 
abounds with commands, teachings, warnings, and promises 
on family government. Indeed, from Genesis to Revelation, 
we have "line upon line, precept on precept, here a little and 
there a little," and all teaching the vast importance of fam- 
ily government. 

In the very first book of the Holy Bible (Gen. 17 : 17-19) 
we read this remarkable lesson: God, accompanied by the 
avenging angels, was going down to pour out fire and brim- 
stone on Sodom and Gomorrah, where all family government 
had been neglected. Passing by the tent of Abraham, God 
said: "Shall I hide from Abraham that which I do? For 
I know him that he will command his children and house- 
hold after him forever." 

Here was a great state secret that perchance God had not 
told to Gabriel or Michael, yet he told it to Abraham, because 
he would "command his children after him forever." How 
perfect that family government was we may learn when we 
see Isaac, a vigorous young man, twenty-eight years old, 



614 The Life and Writings of 

allowing his aged and feeble father to bind him as a burnt 
offering on the altar on Mount Moriah. 

'Twas not his to ask the reason why, 
'Twas his to obey his father and to die." 

And the same family government is seen among the 
family of Abraham around the globe to-day. In the last 
thirty-seven years I have instructed over one hundred Jews 
and Jewesses, and not one of them ever violated a law of the 
university. Go to our state prison at HuntsvQle, and among 
the one thousand eight hundred convicts you will find sons 
of Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Lutherans and Roman 
Catholics, and even of some preachers, but you will find no de- 
scendant of Abraham. Abraham has "commanded his chil- 
dren after him forever/' and they are educated from the 
cradle to obey law in the family, school and state. 

God teaches us another solemn lesson on family gov- 
ernment at Mount Sinai. Two million descendants of Abra- 
ham are assembled around Sinai's base to receive the law. 
And amid thunderings, lightnings and earthquakes God 
said: "Honour thy father and mother, that thy days may 
be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee." 
God not only uttered this in a voice of thunder, but with 
his own finger he wrote it as one of the Ten Commandments 
in rock, to show it was to stand until the rocks melt in the 
fervent heat of the Judgment Day. Paul, who had been 
caught up to the third heaven, and heard and saw things not 
lawful for man to utter, enjoins this command on Gentiles 
as well as Jewish Christians, and declares it is the first com- 
mandment with promise: (Eph. 6:1-3.) Solomon, the 
wisest man of earth, an inspired teacher of God and a great 
king, makes the family a special theme of instruction. Nearly 
one-third of all his proverbs refer directly or indirectly to 
family government. As a wise king he knew well that fam- 
ily government was the foundation of all government in 
school, or church, or state. 

Hear and ponder a few of his grand lessons : 

"Train a child up in the way he should go, and when 
he is old he will not depart from it." "Foolishness is bound 
in the heart of the child, but the rod of correction shall drive 



Dr. Ruftts C, Burleson. 615 

it far from him." "My son, give me thine heart." "My son, 
if thou be wise my heart shall rejoice." "A wise son maketh 
a glad father. But a foolish son is the heaviness of his 
mother." "He that spareth the rod hateth his son, but he 
that loveth him chasteneth him betimes," or early. "The 
eye that mocketh at his father and despiseth to obey his 
mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick out and the young 
ravens shall eat it." But nothing so powerfully teaches the 
importance of family government as God's curses on families 
that neglected family government, and the blessings on fam- 
ilies who enforced family government. I beg fathers and 
mothers especially, to read God's fearful punishment on good 
old Father Eli, who exercised no government in his family. 
Bead the warning in I Samuel, chapters 1-4. There you 
will see God repeatedly warned Eli of the wickedness of his 
sons and the outrages they committed on the mothers and 
daughters of Israel even in the very house of God, so that 
they made the house of God and the worship of God vile. 
But all that good old tear-ready Eather Eli did was to call 
his bad boys and say : "My sons, what is it I hear of you ? 
Nay, it is no good report I hear of you, my sons." But he 
knew the evils they were doing and he restrained them not. 
At last God sent a fearful warning by Samuel, a little child 
that his whole family should be blotted out, leaving not a 
being to remain on the earth in whose veins was the blood 
of Eli. Who can read little Samuel unfolding to Eli the 
curse of God on his family without tears. The venerable, 
tender-hearted old father, bending under the weight of 
ninety-eight winters, hears the terrible but just doom, bows 
his aged head, and sobs aloud : "It is the Lord, let Him do 
what seemeth Him good." 

The fulfillment of this threatened judgment is full of 
meaning to the frve thousand Elis that live in Texas, and the 
seventy-five thousand Elis that live in the United States. No 
doubt Eli's bad sons, Hophni and Phinehas, laughed to scorn 
God's message through the child Samuel. But when the ap- 
pointed day of justice came Israel had gone out to meet the 
Philistines in battle, and as a last dreadful expedient the Ark 
of God was placed in the front of the battle ; but God was not 
around the Ark. The robed priests, Hophni and Phinehas fell 



616 The Life and Writings of 

with such wicked men, and thirty thousand fell bleeding 
fighting, sword in hand; a fleet messenger flies to bear the 
dreadful news. Father Eli had been sitting all day on a watch 
tower, one hundred and thirty feet high, beside the gate, 
eagerly looking toward the battlefield, trembling for his 
wicked sons and the Ark of God, when the courier shouts 
aloud that Israel is routed, thirty thousand Israelites are 
weltering in their blood, Hophni and Phinehas are slain 
and the Ark of God is captured. All the city is filled with 
wailing, Eli is palsied and nerveless, and, weighing over two 
hundred and thirty pounds, falls headlong from that lofty 
watch tower. His neck and bones are broken,' the blood 
gushes from his mouth, his ears, and his nose. 

As a fitting conclusion to this dreadful tragedy, when 
the wife of Phinehas, Eli's son, heard of the death of her 
husband and her father-in-law and thirty thousand Israelites, 
she gave premature birth to a son; the son lived, but the 
mother died, calling him Ichabod, "For the glory is departed 
from Israel." So Ichabod will be written upon every family, 
town and nation where family government is not maintained. 
For all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profit- 
able for reproof and correction. But the vast importance 
of family government may not only be seen from dark Mount 
Ebal of cursing, but from Mount Gerizim of blessing. Read 
in the thirty-fifth chapter of Jeremiah God's blessing on the 
Rechabites for maintaining family government. As a test 
of their filial obedience God commanded Jeremiah to bring 
the Rechabites into the house of God, and to set pots full of 
wine before them and say, "Drink ye of this wine." But 
they, rising up reverently before God's holy prophet, said: 
"Our father, Jonadab, the son of Rechab, commanded us, 
saying, Ye shall drink no wine, ye nor your sons forever." 
Then God's holy prophet cried: "Blessed be ye sons of 
Jonadab, the son of Rechab, because ye have obeyed the 
voice of your father, Jonadab, therefore thus saith the Lord of 
hosts the God of Israel, Jonadab, the son of Rechab, shall 
not want a man to stand before me forever." And the great 
historians, Niebuhr and Wolff, and other Oriental travelers, 
tell us God still preserves the Rechabites as an everlasting 
miracle to show his blessing on family government. 



De. Rufus C. Burleson. 617 

These Eechabites still dwell in tents and drink no wine > 
and abound with the fattest herds, the fairest women and 
most honest men in the valleys of the Euphrates and the 
deserts of Arabia. 

It is a fact full of instruction on the importance of fam- 
ily government that the very last verse of the last chapter 
of the last book in the Old Testament contains a fearful 
warning on family government. "For he shall turn the 
hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the 
children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth 
with a curse." 

And the first book of the New Testament opens with 
the same declaration. The mission of John the Baptist, and 
the Gospel Dispensation which he was to introduce, was to 
turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts 
of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the 
earth. 

By turning the hearts of the fathers to the children the 
text means the chief duty of every father is to bring his 
children to God. 

But brevity compels us to notice but one more Scripture 
lesson on the importance of family government. 

God commands by Paul (I Tim. 3 :4, 5-12), that no 
man shall ever be a pastor or a deacon unless he "ruleth well 
his own house, having his children in subjection with all 
gravity." 

Our all-wise and merciful Heavenly Father, knowing 
how much all men are improved by example, forbids any 
man, however orthodox, pious or eloquent, to be a preacher 
or deacon who does not maintain strict family government. 

The very failure of preachers and deacons to maintain 
family government has caused many to believe that family 
government is useless and injurious. The logic of Satan 
runs thus: "Preachers and deacons have worse children 
than anybody else, therefore family government is not only 
useless but injurious." This logic, like all the logic of the 
great deceiver, is based on falsehood and deception. It 
affirms as a fact that which has been demonstrated by two 
of the greatest universities in America to be a falsehood and 
a slander. These two great universities tested the truth of 



618 The Life and Writings of 

this boasted falsehood of the father of lies, and it was found, 
on a careful inspection of the university alumni, a large per 
cent of the sons of preachers and deacons and elders and 
class leaders rose to greater eminence than any other class 
of students. 

But in every case where family government has been 
enforced the pious parents have fully realized the truth of 
the glorious promise : "Train up a child in the way he should 
go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." 

We may learn the vast importance of family govern- 
ment, not only from the Holy Bible, but from the teachings 
of all the greatest philosophers, the greatest statesmen of all 
nations, ages and climes. The Greeks, the Romans, the rulers 
of the world, and our grander old English and Puritan fathers 
all taught and practiced rigid family government. The Ro- 
mans even required fathers, in case they were unable to 
govern their sons, to take them alone and put them to death, 
and not send them forth as wild beasts to plunder society 
and the country. Whether in the academy, the college, 
the church or the state, every experienced teacher can tell in 
one day whether the new student has been governed at 
home; every pastor knows that young converts who have 
had no family government make, as a general thing, worth- 
less church members. In a great public meeting held in Gal- 
veston by Dr. Barnas Sears and myself as agents of the Pea- 
body Fund, the head of the city police testified that the most 
depraved, worthless criminals he had to deal with were the 
boys ten and twelve years old who were turned loose without 
any family government, to roam the streets and dens of crime 
by day and night as street arabs. I have for fifty years been 
a close and constant reader of the history of all nations of the 
earth. And if I were cast by a storm upon some unknown 
island, among a people of whose name and language I was 
utterly ignorant, in one day I could tell whether that nation 
was on the ascending or descending scale of prosperity and 
civilization, and that one single test should be family govern- 
ment. If I saw family government and happy homes, I 
should know that people were on the ascending scale of great- 
ness. But if I saw no family government, no happy homes, 
no reverence for parents and teachers and rules, I should know 



Dr. Pufus C. Burleson. 619; 

that people were on the downward grade to anarchy, lawless-, 
ness and destruction. All this may be clearly seen not only 
in Gibbon's "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire/' but 
in Greece and Egypt and Babylon, and especially in France 
and Spain in our own times. 

I am no alarmist, but no intelligent man can shut his 
eyes to the appalling fact that anarchy, nihilism, communism, 
and all the powers of evil are struggling with demoniacal 
power and fury to overturn all government, and all society, 
and to introduce an age of wolves and all manner of wild beasts 
and still more savage men. The only breastwork against this 
fearful onslaught of the forces of evil is not in bayonets or 
even in free schools, but in family government. Let the foun- 
dation stone be laid firmly with prayer in every family, and 
then we can say to all the dashing waves of anarchy, lawless- 
ness and crime, 

"Thus far shalt thou come and no further, 
Here shalt thy proud waves be stayed." 

Fathers and mothers, in God's name I emplore you to gird 
yourselves for this mighty work of saving your children, our 
country, and our civilization, and for the ushering in of the 
millennium. 

The last argument on the importance of family govern- 
ment is the happiness of the child. The most unhappy being 
that moves upon this earth, or looks upon the sun, is an Tin- 
governed child. An ungoverned child is a bundle of bad pas- 
sions, is a seething volcano of untamed and ungovernable pas- 
sions, hating everybody and hateful to everybody, shunned 
and dreaded by all. 

Parental affection calls in trumpet tones on every parent 
to govern his child. Hence Solomon so wisely declares : "He 
that spareth the rod hateth his son." (Prov. 13 :24.) Good 
tender-hearted Eli was really a child hater, and if he had de- 
signedly planned the ruin of his sons he could not have adopted 
a surer plan than neglecting family government. ~Ro doubt 
King David's misguided tenderness for his handsome son Ab- 
salom caused him to neglect family government and to spare 
the rod. The result was that Absalom with all his peerless 
beauty of person was a demon incarnate, and in his wild un- 



620 The Life and Writings of 

tamed passion sought to murder that aged, loving father and 
rushed headlong to his own destruction. And when he was 
hanging by his head in a treetop, and dangling in the air 
pierced with the darts of Joab, the loving old father, remem- 
bering his own crime of neglecting family government, wailed 
so bitterly, "O my son Absalom ! my son, my son Absalom ! 
would God I had died for thee !" 

Alas, how many Absaloms are growing up over all this 
continent ! How many misguided Elis and Davids will raise 
this bitter wail : "Oh, my son, my darling son ! would God I 
had died for thee !" 

But would you see your sons and your daughters a joy to 
themselves, a joy to your heart, and pillars of Church and 
State, train them up in the nurture of the Lord. I shall be 
sixty-five years old next August, and I have never known son 
or daughter allowed to disobey father and mother that did not 
become a curse to themselves, their parents, and society, as 
Absalom, Hophni, and Phinehas did. 

If we have faithfully presented to jow and you have fully 
grasped these momentous arguments, you are profoundly pen- 
etrated with the overwhelming importance of family govern- 
ment, and are prepared to pray: "O God, our Heavenly 
Father, teach us how to govern our children and train them up 
in the way they should go, that they may eventually become 
useful members of society.' 

Second, the grand question is, How shall I govern my 
family? After an earnest study of forty-seven years, I lay 
down seven golden rules for family government : 

My first golden rule is, Begin, continue, and end in 
prayer. The first moment I ever lay eyes on my child so 
helpless in its mother's bosom, I kneel down, and laying my 
hand on the little seeming visitant from heaven, I pray, "O 
God, this life which we have dared invoke is parallel with 
thine. O God, help us to guide this helpless babe through 
life in honor and purity, and restore it to thy bosom in Para- 
dise at last." I care not what mighty cares and troubles press 
my heart, I always just at midnight, my regular bedtime, 
kneel down by the little trundle bed and lay my hand on the 
heart of the little sleeper and pray, a O my Father, God, watch 
over by day and night my precious child, keep the heart pure, 



Dk. Rufus C. Burleson. 621 

fill it with love and every noble desire for holiness, usefulness, 
and honor on earth and glory in heaven." 

When my daughter at sixteen left her mother's room to 
occupy a separate room with a chosen young lady, I always 
went at midnight, just before retiring, knelt down and laid 
my hand on the door and prayed, "0 my Heavenly Father, 
send guardian angels to watch over and protect my precious 
child." Our blessed Saviour knew how essential prayer was 
for little children; hence he set us the example, took them 
up in his arms, pressed them to his heart, and prayed for them. 
Oh, father and mother, may you hear every day that Saviour's 
voice saying, "Bring your children to me," and may you so 
carry them in daily prayer ! 

My second golden rule is, Begin early. A great philos- 
opher and poet has said : 

"A dew drop on the baby plant 
Hath warped the giant oak forever; 
A pebble in the streamlet cast 
Hath turned the course of many an ancient river." 

But the dewdrop must fall on "the baby plant," and not 
on the giant oak, the pebble must fall into the streamlet, and 
not into the mighty Amazon or Mississippi. A great states- 
man said: "Let me make the songs for the children, and I 
care not who makes the laws for the State." "Give me the 
training of the children and I will control the State." The 
wily Jesuits understand this profoundly. Their archbishop 
says : "A full school makes a full confessional. Crowd the 
schools regardless of money. This is our only hope of ruling 
America." Ninety-nine one-hundredths of all the converts 
to Romanism in America are made by beginning with the 
young in Roman Catholic schools. The saddest story of the 
Revolutionary war is the bloody defeat of the French and 
American forces by the British at Savannah. The combined 
forces of the French and Americans could have captured the 
British army without firing a gun, but the foolish French gen- 
eral sent a polite note to the British officer to surrender. The 
British in a polite note asked twenty-four hours to think over 
it, the French general, steeped in wine and folly, consented. 
But the crafty Briton instead of putting his hands in his pock- 
ets and thinking about it went to fortifying. General Marion 



622 The Life and Writings of 

went to the silly Frenchman and remonstrated and cried, 
"Oh, my God, such folly to allow the enemy to fortify and 
then fight him." At the end of the twenty-four hours the 
silly Frenchman sent a polite note asking the surrender of the 
fort. The crafty Briton, secure in his fortifications, said: 
"Come and take it." Then began the scene of bloody car- 
nage; column after column of heroic men was hurled against 
the impenetrable British fortifications, only to be hurled back 
decimated and bleeding. Then the brave Jasper fell bleeding 
and dying. After fearful slaughter the French and American 
forces retreated. 

Oh, father, oh, mother, are you so deceived by Satan 
that you are making that same mistake? Are you allowing 
the world, the flesh, and the devil to fortify in the heart and 
soul of your child? A strong man armed keepeth his palace 
and his goods in safety, and when the devil, and fashion, 
and pride, and lust are all fortified, then the devil, like the 
crafty Briton, can defiantly say: "Come and take it." And 
all your tears, all the melting strains of Calvary, and all the 
thunderings of Sinai cannot move that heart fortified by sin 
and Satan. 

But begin early, and all will be well. When Professor 
Morse asked a pious young lady to select the first message that 
should go over the newly-invented telegraph wires, she se- 
lected, "What hath God wrought !" So let the very first mes- 
sage that goes over the mental telegraph wire, that reaches 
not merely across the Atlantic, but the ocean of eternity, be 
"What hath God wrought, what hath Jesus done for my soul !" 

The dewdrop on the baby plant will warp the giant oak, 
a little pebble will turn the little streamlet to glory and to 
God. 

But I pray you in God's name to hear carefully our 
third golden rule : Be tender , he tender as the Son of God our 
Saviour is tender to us. "The bruised reed will he not break, 
and the smoking flax will he not quench." 

My heart was deeply touched with a remark of a little 
boy that was told me recently. His angel mother had just 
died, and the pastor, meeting casually on the streets the father 
and the boy, overlooked speaking to the child as he had always 
done before. When the father and the child were alone, the 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 623 

little boy burst into tears and said: "Oh, father, will our 
pastor never love me any more because I have no mother P 

The father assured him that it was a mere accident, that 
the pastor would be very sorry when he learned how his feel- 
ings were hurt. "Oh, no/' replied the child, "he never can 
be sorry enough unless he could again be a little boy and 
know how to be slighted hurts a little boy who has no mother." 
Fathers and mothers, if you only could know how it hurts a 
little child to be slighted or treated harshly, you would pray : 
"O God, help me to be tender to the little ones !" I make it 
a rule of my life to be always tender and affectionate with my 
children. I play with them, I walk with them, and ride with 
them, I enter tenderly into all their joys and their sorrows. If 
my child has a doll or a bird, a pig or a pony in which it is in- 
terested, I too become deeply interested. The blessed result 
is my children always reciprocate my tender love and sym- 
pathy at all times for my work. But does some man throw 
himself back on his seK-importance, and say, "I have no time 
to idle away with children ?" Then you are guilty of a great 
crime in being a father. Oh, how much better it is for the 
head to ache than the heart to bleed over a rained son ! As 
a dewdrop can warp the great oak forever, so one little word 
hath warped and blighted many a great oak for time and 
eternity. Oh, then write on your heart the third golden rule, 
Be tender. 

The fourth golden rule is, Be firm. And how fearfully 
hard it is to be firm and tender at the same time. To illustrate 
the difficulty and the possibility of tenderness and firmness, I 
tell my experience with my first angel boy Jona, when he was 
two years old. To please him I allowed him in our evening 
drive to hold the buggy reins ; the horse was fiery and spirited, 
but there was no danger, as I always had my hands ready to 
seize the reins at any moment. It pleased him wonderfully, 
for it is amazing how early and eagerly they take the reins in 
their own hands. But one evening my wife returned from her 
weekly visit to her mother, two miles in the coimtry, all fever- 
ish with excitement, and said, "You must not let Jona hold 
the lines any more; I was afraid to let him hold the reins for 
fear that I could not grasp them soon enough in case of dan- 
ger, and he just cried and screamed for the reins all the way 



624 The Life and Writings of 

to mother's and back home. He came near making the horse 
turn the buggy over three times and run away once." I saw 
the change must be made, so, the next time we started on our 
evening drive I took Jona up in my lap and kissed him and told 
him how he troubled good mother and came near turning the 
buggy over, and that he must never hold the reins any more, 
but he seized the reins eagerly. I told him first tenderly and 
firmly to let the reins loose, but he held them faster. I said : 
"Papa will slap Jona if he does not let the reins loose." He 
looked up in my face in wonder, but held on to the reins. I 
gave his precious little hands a keen slap, he let loose the reins, 
threw his head down into his mother's lap, and sobbed bitterly. 
The mother's eyes filled up with tears, my eyes were watering 
and my heart was weaker than water. But I remembered 
the words of Solomon : "Let not thy soul spare for his cry- 
ing." (Prov. 19 :18.) 

After riding some distance, the mother lifted up the 
sobbing child, and said, tenderly: "Jona, get up and kiss 
papa; papa loves Jona." He jumped up and kissed me, think- 
ing he had conquered, seized the reins again and held them 
closer than before. After telling him tenderly and firmly, 
as before, I gave his little hands two keep slaps. He again 
threw his head into his mother's lap, and sobbed louder than 
before. Oh, what a struggle in my bosom ! but I knew that 
to yield was ruin to my precious boy. 

And silently I prayed, "O God, help me to be firm!" 
After some time the mother said tenderly: "Jona, get up 
and kiss papa; he is crying." He got up to kiss me. T said : 
"Kiss me, but don't touch the reins, or papa will whip Jona 
again." His mother kissed him, and told him to be a good 
boy, and mind papa, but with that terrible will that inheres in 
most children, he put up his foot to touch the reins. Know- 
ing that half-way obedience was none at all, I said firmly: 
"Don't touch the reins, or I will whip you." Never from 
that hour until the day of his death, even under the most try- 
ing ordeals, did he hesitate a moment to obey me implicitly. 
He was the happiest, brightest, purest child I ever knew till 
the angels came and took him home to heaven as too pure 
for this world. I relate this instance to illustrate three of my 
golden rules of family government : First, begin early. As 



Dr. Ruftts C. Burleson. 625 

the twig is bent the tree is inclined. Second, be tender. 
Third, be firm. 

I may intimate the necessity of father and mother being 
united in family government. If the father pulls one way 
and the mother another, the child is ruined. A house divided 
against itself cannot stand. 

Ever remember there is "a golden medium" in all things, 
with Scylla on one side Charybdis on the other. If your son 
gets dust on his shoes, tears his clothes, forgets some errand 
you sent him on, or does a hundred things of that kind, over- 
look them; but if he swears or lies, gets drunk or is rebellious, 
then catch him, pray for him, talk to him, always appeal to 
his conscience and better nature, and then, if necessary, use 
Solomon's token of love tenderly and freely, and always with 
tears in your eyes. One such correction at the right time 
will save any boy, but catching a boy and flogging him for 
everything, hardens him, destroys his self-respect, and makes 
an outlaw. If I have any secret in governing, it is by a con- 
stant and affectionate appeal to the moral nature of the youths; 
and if I did catch them and correct them, it was for their 
good and with well nigh the tenderness of a father. The grand 
mistake our fathers made about the use of the rod was the 
same that the bloody Draco made about the death penalty. 
Draco said the very least violation of the law deserved death, 
and the greatest could receive nothing more. So every viola- 
tion of law, however great or small, should be punished with 
death. The truth is, the rod, like the death penalty, should 
never be used except in extreme cases. Oh, fathers and 
mothers, I implore you, do not govern too much; overlook 
many mistakes of your children which violate no moral prin- 
ciple ! Leave all else to time and gentle admonition. 

My sixth golden rule is, Have no 'partiality among your 
children. Parental partiality has goaded hundreds of thou- 
sands of children in all ages to desperation and ruin; I am 
appalled to find it abounding in Texas to-day. How 
few people seem to know that God punished good old Jacob 
with seventeen years of mourning for his criminal partiality 
to his son Joseph. Because God overruled it for good, no 
more lessens Jacob's crime than that of the Jews crucifying 
Christ, because God overruled it for the salvation of the world. 



626 The Life and Writings of 

Will every parent guilty of this terrible crime read of 
Jacob's punishment ? (G-en. 32 :13.) See that coat of many 
colors, the proof of his criminal parental partiality, all smeared 
with blood, and hear the appalling words, "This we have 
found. Is it thy son's coat or not ?" Jacob sobs aloud : "It 
is, and without doubt some evil beast has devoured Joseph." 
In his overwhelming sorrow all his sons and daughters rose 
up to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted, and said : 
"I will go down to the grave mourning, where Joseph has 
gone." If God so punished Jacob, oh, father, mother, will 
he spare you? ~No doubt David's criminal partiality for his 
handsome son Absalom was one cause of Absalom's criminal 
ingratitude. 

If there is one thing on earth that maddens the heart of 
the son or daughter, and drives each to ruin, it is the thought 
that the father and mother do not love them. A mother's 
love, a father's love, is the grandest inspiration on earth for 
a child to do noble deeds. 

We should always love and reward the good conduct of 
our children and censure and punish the bad; but, like our 
Heavenly Father, who sends the sun on the just and unjust, 
we must love all our children with the same impartial, undy- 
ing devotion. 

My seventh and last golden rule: Imbue the soul of 
your child with reverence for God and right, and fire his soul 
with a lofty ambition for purity, wisdom, usefulness and 
honor on earth, and a home with the angels in heaven. An 
empty sack cannot stand erect; an empty bucket will soon be 
filled with chaff and dirt. The only way to help your chil- 
dren to stand erect among the great and good is to fill their 
minds and hearts with the precious seed-wheat of virtue, wis- 
dom, and an undying love for honor and right. The only 
way to keep their young minds and hearts from being filled 
with the low, dirty passions of the world, the flesh, and the 
devil, is to fill them full of the germs of wisdom, patriotism, 
and piety in the seed time, spring time of life. 

What was it that made our Washington "the Father of 
his Country" and the admiration cf the world ? Go into the 
garden and see his father writing "George Washington" with 
young plants, by which he led his young mind up to God. It 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 627 

was the imbuing and the firing of the soul of the child with 
reverence for God and love for all that was pure and great 
that made the little boy say, tremblingly : "I cannot tell a 
lie.' 7 It was the same feeling of his young heart that made 
the little boy "first in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of 
his countrymen/ 7 and the first in the hearts cf all patriots 
around the globe in all ages. All reliance on locks and bayo- 
nets and outside restraint can never make a grand moral char- 
acter. 

As a fearful warning to all parents who rely upon outside 
force to build up moral character, I recommend the careful 
reading of Sanderson, in Dr. Holland's invaluable book on 
training children, styled "x\rthur Bonnycastle." But I 
would write it as with a pen of fire on every parental heart 
that these seven golden rules can never be taught by words or 
precepts without example. 

"As the bird each fond endearment tries 
To tempt its new-fledged offspring to the skies, 
Tries each art, reproves each dull delay, 
Allures to brighter worlds and leads the way." 

so must the parent by example. The great philosopher 
iEsop makes the young crab utter the voice of all the young. 
When chided by his father for walking crookedly, he said: 
"Father, most gladly will I obey your commands when you 
set me the example. 77 

You may not only teach your children by your own ex- 
ample^ but by the example of noble men living and dead. 
GTeorge Washington 7 s example with the little hatchet has been 
worth five hundred million dollars to the boys of America. 
The example of the grand old Roman Fabricius whom millions 
of gold could not buy nor burning darts and roaring wild 
beasts frighten, has girded many thousands into incorruptible 
honor and undying courage. One anecdote of General Jack- 
son 7 s indomitable courage confirmed me in a critical moment 
in the course of duty and saved me from a life of failure. 

My father and mother never failed to seize upon every 
noble deed of those around us, as well as in history, to build 
up strong moral character. How often have I heard my fa- 
ther paint in glowing words the honesty of his old friend, 
Colonel Benjamin Sherrod. When he was threatened with 



<328 The Life and Writings of 

bankruptcy and penury in old age, and was staggering under 
& debt of eight hundred and fifty thousand dollars, a con- 
temptible lawyer said : " Colonel Sherrod, you are hopelessly 
ruined, but if you will furnish me five thousand dollars as 
witness fees I can pick a technical flaw in the whole thing and 
get you out of it." 

The grand old Alabamian said: "Your proposition is 
insulting. I signed the notes in good faith, and the last dollar 
shall be paid — if charity digs my grave and buys my shroud," 
He carried me and by brother Richard once specially to see 
that incorruptible old man, and his face and words are por- 
trayed upon my heart and brain to this hour. So, dear 
parent, "when you rise up and when you lie down, when you 
walk by the wayside," teach by word and example the grand 
lessons of purity, usefulness, and heroism to your sons and 
daughters, and they will become the pride and joy of your 
hearts and the grand banner bearers in Church and State. 

But unless these seven golden rules are protected se- 
curely by a strong wall and strict quarantine, they are as 
sounding brass and tinkling cymbals. "What is a beautiful 
flower garden or an apple orchard or orange grove without a 
strong enclosure? 

When small pox or yellow fever is raging, is there any 
safety except in vigilant quarantine ? 

That strong wall and safe quarantine must be made of 
the following four great laws : "No bad company; no idle 
time; no fine clothes; make home happy. 

First, No had company. Show me the companions of 
boys and girls, and I will tell you what they are. We are a 
part of all we meet. Fathers and mothers, would you let a 
boy or girl with small pox come to visit your son or daughter ? 
Yet a vicious, bad boy or depraved girl is more dangerous than 
small pox. Teach your children to shun them as a deadly 
poison, for at last they will bite like a serpent and sting like 
an adder. But remember that bad books, and daily newspa- 
pers filled with all the filth of the day, are the worst compan- 
ions your son or daughter can have. That infamous book, 
"Peck's Bad Boy," has, it is said, made one hundred thousand 
bad boys and made for the author one hundred thousand dol- 
lars. But remember well that your son and daughter must 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 629" 

have companions; and every parent should select the very best 
companions and the very best books and papers for them. 

The second grand law for fencing in the seven golden 
rules is, No idle time. An idle man's head is the devil's" work- 
shop. Idleness is utterly incompatible with a virtuous 
life, and habits of industry are the secret guarantee of 
purity and success. Fools kill time, and time kills fools. 
Whatever success I have had as a teacher in the last thirty- 
seven years is due to the law engraved on my whole being in 
childhood. I have spent but one idle day in thirty-five years, 
and I am profoundly ashamed of that idle day; I call it my 
Black Friday. Then, fathers and mothers, give your sons 
and daughters time to play, time to be joyous; give them birth- 
day parties, for joy is as essential to young people as sunshine 
is to young plants. But give them no idle time to roam the 
streets by day or night, with depraved, low, silly girls; and 
teach them that time is more precious than gold. 

The next grand law for hedging in the seven golden rules 
is, Rigid economy in dress and money. Whiskey and card 
playing are scarcely more demoralizing to a boy or girl than 
extravagant use of money and fine clothes. Plenty of money 
and fine clothes fill the minds of young people with vanity and 
self-conceit. And Solomon well says, There is more hope of 
a fool than of a boy or girl filled with self-conceit. Paul, who 
was a grand philosopher as well as an inspired apostle, com- 
mands Christians to let their adorning be the inner man of the 
heart, and not in gold, or pearls, or costly array. 

Wlien I returned from a visit to the great missionary and 
educational conventions and college anniversaries of the 
North, in 1873, my brother Richard asked me what was the 
most interesting thing I saw. I replied that it was the six- 
teen-year-old daughter of a Wall Street banker living in a 
mansion at Yonkers, dressed in calico, doing her full share of 
the housework on Saturday, and dressed in simple white, 
teaching a class of little children in the Baptist Sunday-school 
on Sunday morning. The noble banker said: "When my 
beloved daughter learns the great lesson of economy, and that 
the true lady consists in modesty, purity, and piety, then — if 
she desires — she can have silks and diamonds suitable to her 
tere in life." 



630 The Life and Wpitixgs of 

If every father in America would only follow the exam- 
ple of the banker, soon we would see the sublime republican 
simplicity and honesty of Washington and Jefferson return, 
and the hearts of patriots would not quake for the giant po- 
litical frauds that threaten us with ruin to-day. 

But the last capstone on this wall of defense, and the 
crowning glory of all family government is this: '"'Make 
Home Happy/ 7 God hath set the children of men in families, 
and he intended every home to be a nursery of joy, piety, and 
patriotism, and a type of heaven. Every child should be 
taught to feel and say from his heart — 

"The dearest spot on earth to me, is home, sweet home, 
All the world beside I have slighted for home, sweet home, 
There where hearts are so united, 
There where vows are truly plighted. 
Home, sweet home; there is no place like home, 
Be it ever so humble, there is no place like home." 

In every happy Christian home, the great cardinal vir- 
tues of a good citizen are taught and illustrated. In the au- 
thority of the father, the heaven-appointed head of the family, 
exercised so tenderly for the good of all, the child learns that 
good government is not oppression. In the graceful obedience 
of the queenly mother to the father, the child sees that obe- 
dience is not slavish submission, but essential to harmony; 
and in the mutual love and devotion of the older children to 
the younger, and the love and devotion of the least to the old- 
est, can be seen the reciprocal love, the golden bonds that 
should bind all the citizens of our fatherland into one grand 
brotherhood. 

A dear student of mine, after the death of his mother, 
finding home unpleasant with a stepmother, ran away, and 
resolved to go to Mexico, and change his name. He reached 
San Antonio, and engaged to start with some Mexican cartmen 
for Saltillo, next morning, but in a cabin near the wagon yard 
he heard the pious colored people singing the favorite song 
of his angel mother, with the chorus, "There is room enough 
in Paradise to have a home in glory." The song thrilled 
his soul with memories of home and mother. He returned 
home, and is now a great and useful citizen. I never despair 
of saving a boy who loves home and mother. Oh, then, in 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 631 

God's name, for the sake of our country, let us resolve to 
make our homes nurseries of joy, piety, and patriotism, and 
types of heaven! In this way alone we save our sons and 
daughters, and save our country from the coming invasion of 
Goths and Vandals more bloody and cruel than those who 
pillaged and burned Rome in the Dark Ages. To attain this 
grand end I propose the organization of a Parental Associa- 
tion in every town, to discuss family government and turn the 
hearts of all fathers to their children and the hearts of the 
children to their parents, lest a just God shall come and smite 
the earth with a curse more fearful than the fire and brim- 
stone of Sodom and Gomorrah, or the floods that devoured 
.the whole earth, save righteous Noah and his family. But 
let us make our homes happy; let us enforce the seven golden 
rules of family government : then our sons and daughters will 
be prepared for the last grand battle which Satan is now wag- 
ing to retain his rulership of this planet. In that grand battle 
of giants that shall jar the stagnant world to wonder, our sons 
and daughters will not be the victims chained to the chariot 
wheels of that old dragon Satan. Let us as Christians and 
parents do our whole duty, and our children will not be like 
dumb cattle driven, but heroes and heroines in the strife. 
They will be banner bearers in that last great battle now near 
at hand, when the devil and his angels will be driven back to 
their home in hell, and millennial light and love shall girdle 
this whole planet. 

"Then one song shall employ all nations, 
And all cry worthy the Lamb, for he was slain for us." 

Then shall that multitude of angels that sang the natal 
song of Jesus, to the shepherds on the mountain of the East, 
return and shout to the whole earth, "Glory to God in the 
highest, peace on earth and good will to men; for the king- 
doms of this world have become the kingdom of our Lord and 
of his Christ, and millennial glory fills the whole earth." 



632 The Life and Writings of 

"BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD." 

HIS FIFTY-SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY SERMON, PREACHED AT SECOND 
BAPTIST CHURCH, WACO, NOVEMBER 12, 1897. 

Text : "Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin 

of the world."— John 1 :29. 

Fifty-seven years to-day I was licensed to preach by the 
First Baptist Church of Nashville, Tenn. Fifty-seven years 
ago I preached my first sermon from this text. The great 
poet, Cowper, says, "It is greatly wise to talk with our past 
hours; ask them what report they bore to heaven; how they 
might have borne more welcome news." 

For fifty-seven years I have observed this rule. I have 
consecrated especially three days in thus talking with my past 
hours. These three days (1) the day of my conversion and 
baptism, April 21, 1839, (2) the day on which my angel 
mother died, July 12, 1839, and (3) the day I was licensed 
to preach, November 12, 1840. And to-day, dear brethren 
and sisters, I wish to commemorate the fifty-seventh year of 
my consecration to the glorious work of preaching the gospel. 
But 0, how many changes in the last fifty-seven years ! The 
venerable and beloved pastor, Dr. R. B. C. Howell, the gen- 
erous hearted clerk, Joseph H. Shepard, the faithful deacons, 
J. H. Marshall, James Thomas and James Mclntyre and 
Moses and Aaron Wright, and all the dear brethren and sis- 
ters who voted so earnestly to license me, have crossed over the 
river, all except one. I, too, have changed; then I was a col- 
lege student, 17 years old, with hair white as snow. But I 
praise God He has enabled me to spend the last fifty-seven 
years iu His service. I have preached the gospel in every 
town in Texas, from the Sabine to the Bio Grande, and from 
San Antonio, Texas, to Boston, Massachusetts. I have preached 
under forest trees, in log cabins, in magnificent churches, in 
University chapels and legislative halls. 

Two of the sublimest verses in this Book of God, yea 
"this God of books," are these — first : "God said let there be 
light and there was light;" second: "Behold the Lamb of 
God which taketh away the sin of the world." The first, 
God uttered at creation's birth, when about to banish darkness 
and chaos from this planet and flood it with light, joy and 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 633 

glory. The second was uttered by John the Baptist, when the 
Son of Righteousness was about to enter publicly on his mis- 
sion of banishing sin, crime and tears from this earth and 
girdling it with millennial light and joy. The place where 
John the Baptist uttered my text suggests its glorious mean- 
ing. It was on this very spot where Joshua divided the River 
Jordan, and two million Jews passed over dry shod from 
Egyptian bondage into the land of Canaan. It was on this 
very spot that Elijah divided the river and passing over dry 
shod, without tasting death, ascended to glory in a chariot of 
fire. On this same spot 42,000 Ephraimites were slain be- 
cause they wickedly attempted to cross the Jordan without 
giving the true pass work "Shiboleth." Ephraimites could 
not pronounce the letter "h" but said "Siboleth." 

The venerable Richard Dabbs, an early pastor of Nash- 
ville church, said that "h" represents the heart work of 
religion, and all who did not have the heart work right, 
would, like the Ephraimites, perish when they came to the 
Jordan of death. On the same spot John the Baptist, the 
Elijah of the New Testament, began his glorious mission cry- 
ing aloud, "Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand," 
and 50,000 penitent Jews crowded around him asking, "What 
must we do to be saved ?" And confessing and forsaking their 
sins, they were baptized in the River Jordan, tnus becoming 
"a people made ready for the Lord." The Prince of Peace 
and Lord of glory selected this same consecrated spot for his 
baptism and entrance upon his public ministry. And having 
walked seventy-five miles from Galilee he was here buried 
in holy baptism, setting an example for his people in all ages. 
And coming up out of the baptismal grave, the heavens 
opened and the Holy Spirit like a dove descended from heaven 
and lighted on him and a voice from heaven said, "This is 
my beloved son, hear ye him." And here the King of Zion 
having been annointed by the Holy Spirit descending and the 
voice of God pro-;! aiming him King in Zion, took charge of 
"the people made ready for the Lord" as a bride adorned for 
her husband. On this very spot he organized his church 
against which the gates of hell should never prevail. It was 
here the little stone which Daniel saw cut out without hands. 



634 The Life and "Writings of 

began to roll and increase in power till it has become a great 
mountain and will soon grind to powder the wicked govern- 
ments of this world and fill the earth with light, love and 
holiness. 

We are not surprised that our great and good Dr. Tai- 
mage and a devoted young Presbyterian preacher visiting this 
spot girdled with such sublime and holy associations, forgot 
their early prejudices and the young man was baptized by Dr. 
Talmage as Jesus was on that very spot eighteen hundred and 
sixty years ago. It was not surprising that a few days later 
a devout and eloquent Methodist preacher, visiting the same 
spot, saw with overwhelming power the way that Jesus was 
baptized, and he, too, was buried in holy baptism by our great 
Texas missionary, Dr. A. J. Holt, then visiting the Holy 
Land. But glorious and sublime as was the place, time and 
preacher, they were all eclipsed when compared to the height, 
depth, breadth and length of the meaning of the text, "Be- 
hold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the 
world." ]STo human intellect can fully grasp the eternal ocean 
of truth in these words. "But the Holy Spirit helpeth our 
infirmities to understand the deep things of God." And our 
Savior promised if we will ask our heavenly Father he will 
give us abundantly the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth. 
Let us, therefore, stand and spend a few moments, in silent, 
earnest prayer that God may enable us to comprehend some- 
thing of the glorious meaning of our text. Let us now first 
brush away the cobwebs of Unitarianism and by the light of 
God's truth behold the Lamb of God in "the glory which he 
had with the Father before the world began." Let us on the 
wings of faith soar back into eternity when there was no sun, 
no moon, no stars, no earth ; nay, more, we must by faith soar 
back into mighty eternity when not one of the seventy-five 
million suns with their attendant planets had been spoken into 
existence; nay, still more, on the wings of faith let us soar 
back into mighty eternity when the Jasper walls of the eternal 
city with her golden streets were not, when not an angel, nor 
arch-angel bent his wheeling flight around the throne of God; 
when all worlds, suns, angels, arch-angels, seraphim and 
cherubim were sleeping in the bosom of God the Father, God 



De. Ritfus C. Burleson. 635 

the Son and God the Holy Spirit. We behold the Lamb of 
■God as The Word or eternal Logos sitting with God the 
Father and God the Holy Spirit on a resplendent throne 
brighter than a universe of suns. 

John the beloved disciple had such a view as this when 
he said, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was 
with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the 
beginning with God. All things were made by Him and with- 
out Him was not anything made that was made ; and the Word 
was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory 
as the glory of the only begotten Son full of grace and truth. 
He was in the world and the world was made by him and the 
world knew Him not." Isaiah, the evangelist prophet, had 
this same glorious view of the pre-existence of Christ, when he 
said, "Unto us a child is born; unto us a son is given; the gov- 
ernment shall be upon his shoulders and of the increase of his 
government there shall be no . end. He shall be called the 
Wonderful, the Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting 
Father and the Prince of Peace." God, the Father, created 
angels, arch-angels, cherubim and seraphim, earth and all 
the shining worlds above us by the Word. And when the 
angels who kept not their first estate, but rebelled against God, 
they were cast down to hell, as monuments of His glorious jus- 
tice, and when Adam, the younger brother of angels, sinned in 
the garden of Eden, Justice cried, "Cut him down; why doth 
lie cumber the ground." But Mercy, the darling attribute of 
Deity, cried, "Spare Him, spare Him as a monument of 
mercy." But Justice thundered louder than from Sinai's 
summit, "Man must die or justice must die and God's great 
white throne be disgraced before man, angels and devils." 
But Mercy cried, "Is there no way to honor and magnify the 
law and save man ?" But the grand mystery of man's redemp- 
tion was "sealed in a book with seven seals," and a strong angel 
proclaimed with a loud voice : "Who is worthy to open the 
book and loose the seals thereof?" And there was no man 
in heaven or earth or under the earth able to open thj book 
or even to look thereon. For the Redeemer of man mu&t be 
immaculately holy and not under the law. He must also be 
equal with God and able to lay one hand on tha tpotless throne 



636 The Life and Writings of 

and the other on sinful man and by his death atone for man's 
sin and lift him up into paradise. But no such being could 
be found among all the shining ranks above, 71 or on the earth 
nor under the earth. John the beloved disciple, in the Isle of 
Patmos, beholding that no one was able to redeem man, "wept 
bitterly and there was silence in heaven above the space o£ 
half an hour." Finally a shout was heard in heaven crying, 
"Weep not, John, behold the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the- 
root and offspring of David, Jesus of Nazareth, has prevailed 
to open the book and to loose the seals thereof." And "they 
sang a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book 
and open the seals thereof, for thou wast slain and hast re- 
deemed us to God by Thy blood and made us kings and priests 
unto God." And this wonderful mystery of man's redemption 
by the blood of Christ that bewildered angels and caused 
silence in heaven for half an hour has been a mystery in all 
ages. Paul said in his day that Christ crucified is to the Jews 
a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but unto them 
that are called, it is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 
And the first step and the only way to understand this mystery 
is to understand clearly what law is and the absolute necessity 
of maintaining law. We must learn that law is not, as many 
suppose, despotism or tyranny, but a mode of existence or 
order of sequence established by a God of love, for the har- 
mony of the universe and for the happiness of men and angels* 
A great philosopher has truly said of law : "Her seat is in the 
bosom of God. Her voice is heard in the harmony of the uni- 
verse. The greatest are not above her control and the least 
are secure under her protecting power." Whoever, therefore,, 
tramples on law is an enemy to God, to man and his own souL 
Obedience to law fills earth and heaven with rejoicing. Tramp- 
ling on law fills earth with tears, mourning, war and blood- 
shed. A clear understanding and rigid observance of law 
gave Greece and Rome their greatness and glory, but tramp- 
ling on law plunged them into a vortex of blood and anarchy. 
Oh, that God would enable us all to understand, as citizens,, 
the sacredness of law, then we would not only be able to save 
our country from ruin but clearly understand the glorious 
plan of redemption through the blood of Christ. Faul, who 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 637 

had been caught to the third heaven ioid heard and saw 
things unlawful for man to utter, understood this profound 
mystery and said "For as much as the children were partakers 
of flesh and blood he also took part of the same, that he 
through death might destroy him that had the power of death, 
that is the devil. For it behooved him in all things to be made 
like unto his brethren that he might be a merciful high priest. 
And in the fulness of time we behold the Lamb of God 
descending from His resplendent throne and becoming flesh 
and blood and born of the Virgin Mary. This marvelous 
stoop of infinite love and mercy caused heaven and earth to 
rejoice. 

And shepherds who kept their flocks by night on the 
mountains of Judea heard angels shouting, " Glory to God in 
the highest; peace on earth, good will to men. Fear ye not, 
for behold we bring you glad tidings of great joy, for unto 
you is born this day in the city of David a child which is 
Christ Jesus the Lord." And a resplendent star cr.me from 
the East followed by the wise men saying, "Where is he that 
is born king of the Jews, for behold we have seen his star 
in the East and have come to worship Him." And when the 
star guided them to Bethlehem, they fell down and worshipped 
Him, offering Him gold, frankincense and myrrh. But alas, 
in this sad world when the sons of God come to worship, 
Satan also comes. "When our beautiful prairies are carpeted 
with unending green and variegated with ten thousand flow- 
ers, then the dreaded tarantula and hissing adders crawl forth 
from their dens. So while heaven and earth rejoice at the 
birth of the Prince of Peace, the Savior of men, Satan know- 
ing that he came to take away sin and destroy his power on 
earth, stirred up his servant, Herod, to seek the young child 
to put him to death. And when he could not find him, he sent 
his brutal soldiers and slew all the male children in Bethlehem 
under two years of age. But Joseph being warned of God, 
took the young child and his mother and fled into Egypt, and 
was there till Herod died, and went down to his place among 
the lost spirits, where he is at this very moment crying for 
a drop of water to cool his parched tongue. But let us now 
Toehold the Lamb of God as he begins to make an rionement 



638 The Life and Writings oe 

for our sins, first by a life of perfect obedience to law, for let 
it never be forgotten that Christ's life of obedience to law, 
human and divine, in every jot and tittle, from the cradle to 
the grave, was as essential to an atonement for our sins as was 
His sufferings on the cross. Had he ever violated one law, 
or omitted one duty, the redemption of man would have failed. 
Hence Christ was a model of perfect holiness. He was a per- 
fect son, ,an upright citizen and a devoted friend from the 
cradle to the grave. So that men and devils wen were con- 
strained to say with Pilate, "We find no fault in him." And 
when he had thus magnified the law and made it honorable by 
thirty years' of obedience he entered upon his public ministry, 
organized his church, or kingdom, and instructed the preach- 
ers and members, and died on the cross, thus making a com- 
plete atonement for our sins. First let us behold him walking 
seventy-five miles from Galilee to Jordan to be baptized of 
John, but when John forbade him, and falling at his feet, 
said : "Lord, I have need to be baptized of Thee, and cometh 
Thou to me." O, Christian, hear your Lord and Master say, 
"Suffer it to be so now, John, for thus it becometh us to fulfill 
all righteousness." And when Jesus was baptized, going 
straightway up out of the water, the heavens opened and the 
Spirit (anointing him King in Zion) was seen to descend like a 
dove, lighting upon him, and a voice from heaven said, "This 
is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased, hear him." 
Having thus entered upon his public ministry and being 
anointed by the Holy Spirit and recognized by a voice from 
heaven as King in Zion, let us now behold him organizing 
"the people made ready for the Lord" into a kingdom and 
church. We see the Lamb of God founded his church on the 
grandest philosophy of good government; that is, "a govern- 
ment of the people, by the people, and for the people." It was 
a government in which there were no popes, no prelates, no 
bishops, no lords over God's heritage. In J ,his government 
every man was his own master, subject only and always to the 
will of the majority of his equals, executing the laws of the 
kingdom of Christ. Let us never forget that a government 
thus organized is not an unwieldy mob. It is a grand historic 
fact that governments thus organized have achieved the great- 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 639 

est victories of earth. It was such a government that won the 
victory of Thermopylae, Marathon, Leuctra, Runnymede, 
Bnnker Hill, Yorktown and San Jacinto. It was this govern- 
ment that made Greece and Rome immortal ; but when ambi- 
tion, corruption and ignorance overthrew this government, 
Greece and Rome were plunged into an ocean of blood and 
anarchy. It is a well established fact that Thomas Jefferson, 
one of the greatest statesmen of earth, got his model for the 
government of our glorious Republic from this model given 
by our Lord and Savior to his church. In 1770 he visited the 
Baptist church near his home, and here he saw for the first 
time a government of pure Democracy. He saw the election 
of pastors and deacons, and all things done by the will of the 
majority, subject only to the Bible. After attending several 
meetings with delight and astonishment he invited the vener- 
able pastor, Elder A. D. Trimble, home with him Lnd asked 
him : " Where did you get your form of church government, 
and how long have you hadTit?" Elder Trimble answered: 
"We got it from the New Testament, as taught by our blessed 
Savior, and have had it from the very hour he said, 'Thou art 
Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the 
gates of hell shall not prevail against it, and our blessed 
Savior has preserved his church through all the dark ages and 
bloody persecutions to this very hour.' 7 The grand statesman 
said : "Is it possible that Jesus established a form of govern- 
ment so grand and so simple ? It is the government we need 
for these colonies." Not only was our beloved republic founded 
on the model God gave to his church, but the greatest men and 
greatest nations of earth are fast tending to this heaven-given 
model of government. Let us inquire then prayerfully what 
are the greatest essential points of this government. First, 
every local church or congregation is independent and sov- 
ereign and not to be controlled by any synod, diocese or con- 
vention. There are no bishops, no popes, no lords over God's 
heritage in the church as organized by Jesus. Our blessed 
Savior settled this question forever, when there was a strife 
among the apostles who should be the greatest. He said unto 
them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, 
and they that exercise authority over them are called bene- 



640 The Life and Writings of 

factors, but it shall not be so among you, but he that is greatest 
among you let him be as the younger, and he that is chief as 
he that doth serve. One is your Master, even Christ, and all 
ye are brethren." And when he said, "If thy brother tres- 
pass against thee, tell him his fault between thee and him 
alone; if he will not hear thee, take with thee two or three 
more; and if he will not hear, tell it to the church; and if he 
will not hear the church, let him be to thee as a heathen and 
publican." He demonstrated that the church was the highest 
and only authority in all matters of church government. And 
when the successor of Judas was to be elected, they were to- 
gether continuing in prayer and supplication, and one hundred 
and twenty names, among them were the women and Mary, 
the mother of Jesus. And after earnest prayer for God's direc- 
tion they gave forth their lots, or votes, and the vote fell upon 
Mathias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles. And 
when the seven deacons were to be elected the apostles called 
the multitude of the disciples, men and women, together, and 
they chose the seven deacons, whom they set before the 
apostles who laid hands on them and ordained them, not to 
preach, "but to serve tables and look after the poor." And 
when Paul and Barnabas were to be sent on the first grand 
mission to the Grentiles, they were sent forth, not by a pope, 
or bishop, but by the church. (See Acts 13 :3.) And when 
a member of the church at Corinth committed a great sin, 
Paul, though he had been caught up to the third heavens and 
heard and saw things not lawful for a man to utter, did not 
dare to excommunicate the offender, but wrote to the church 
at Corinth (see 1 Cor. 5 :45) : "When ye are gathered together 
and my spirit is with you, deliver such an one unto satan, for 
the destruction of the flesh." And when that offender became 
deeply penitent, Paul did not restore him, but wrote to the 
church (2 Cor. 6 :?)-: "Sufficient to such a man is the punish- 
ment which was inflicted of the many, or the majority; for- 
give ye such an one, lest perhaps such an one should be swal- 
lowed up with much sorrow." Popery, or Episcopacy > were 
unknown in the church till the day of the bloody Phocas, 
and the equally bloody Pope Boniface, 607 A. D. Satan seeing 
the government Jesus gave his church was destroying his 



Dr. Ruftjs C. Burleson. 641 

kingdom, used all his satanic power to destroy that God-given 
form of government and used these ambitious men to intro- 
duce popery and Episcopacy and affect a union of church and 
state; when the true church of Christ never had any union 
with the state. But the church of Christ maintaining the 
same government he gave them on the banks of the Jordan, 
retired to the wilderness, first among the Albigenses and Wald- 
enses, and then into the valley of Wales, and then into the 
wilds of America, and has preserved that same government to 
this very hour. Another great essential element in the gov- 
ernment of the church of Christ is, that no man or woman, 
however great, or rich, should ever enter without being con- 
verted and maintaining a high, moral and Christian character. 
Jeremiah foretelling the glory of the kingdom to be set up 
by our blessed Savior, said : "They shall not teach every man 
his neighbor and every man his brother, saying, Know ye the 
Lord; for all shall know him, from the least even to the 
greatest." And when the Jews came to John the Baptist, de- 
siring to enter this new kingdom, on the ground that they were 
children of Abraham, John said : "Think not to say within 
you, we are the children of Abraham; for except ye be con- 
verted ye can not enter the kingdom." God gave a grand 
illustration of this truth in the building of Solomon's Temple. 
In the erection of that grand building no sound of the hammer 
was ever heard, every stone, every beam, every pillar was with 
wonderful skill hewn and shaped so as to precisely fit its 
proper place. So in the spiritual temple of God, all the 
material should be well prepared, well shaped, so as to fit into 
the building without noise or friction. It is a glorious truth 
that the church or kingdom of the blessed Savior thus organ- 
ized, has stood amid the burning fagots of Nero and Smith- 
field, Bedford jail of England and the whipping posts of New 
England. She has crossed the wide Atlantic and the mighty 
Mississippi into the wilds of Texas. Here that church stands 
on the banks of the Brazos that was organized on the banks of 
the Jordan 1886 years ago. Having now seen how the Lamb 
of God organized his kingdom, let us mark his first great con- 
flict with sin and satan, which was to regain in the wilderness 
what Adam lost in Eden. Immediately after his baptism and 

41 



642 The Life and Writings of 

establishment of his church, Jesus retired to the wilderness 
and spent forty days in prayer and fasting all alone among the 
wild beasts, and when he was hungered satan came to him and 
began tempting him, as he did Eve in the garden of Eden. 
I aeeply regret that no subject in the Bible is so little under- 
stood as "the fall of man/ 7 or the sin of our first parents in 
Eden. Such superficial thinkers and flippant talkers as Tom 
Paine and Bob Ingersoll say the sin of Adam was "eating an 
apple/' and ridicule Christians for believing that God would 
drive Adam and Eve out of Eden and punish them and the 
whole human family with death for merely "eating an apple." 
And as we cannot understand fully the temptation and vic- 
tory of Christ without understanding the temptation and fall 
of Adam, let us inquire in what did the sin of Adam consist. 
By analyzing the sin of Adam, profoundly and philosophic- 
ally, we find it in perfect harmony with the laws of man's 
moral nature, as defined by John Locke, Dugald Stewart, Dr. 
Wayland, and all great philosophers. These great philosoph- 
ers tell us there are four propelling powers in the moral and 
spiritual nature of man. (1) "The appetites, or desires for 
food, drink and whatever satisfies the body." (2) "The pas- 
sions, as love, ambition, hate and whatever guides man in his 
social intercourse. (3) "Self-love that guides with sleepless 
vigilance, all that promotes individual happiness." (4") "Con- 
science, which discriminates moral qualities." All these 
powers, as God created them, are essential to the happiness of 
man; but when perverted by sin they bring confusion, woe 
and death on families, cities and nations. In the divine 
economy conscience is supreme, self-love second, passion third, 
appetite fourth, and last of all. ~Now Satan first appealed to 
the appetite, saying: "This fruit is pleasant to the taste, 
therefore eat it" But conscience thundered, "We must not 
eat it, nor touch it, lest we die." Satan then appealed to her 
passions or love of the beautiful, saying : "It is beautiful to 
the eye, beautiful to behold, therefore eat it." But conscience 
still thundered, "We must not touch it lest we die." Satan 
then appealed to that powerful passion in the human heart, 
"self-love," saying : "God doth know that if you eat this you 
shall not surely die, but shall become as gods, knowing good 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 64o 

and evil." Alas ! alas ! when self-love, passion and appetite 
all rebelled they hurled conscience from the throne and tramp- 
led her into dust; and unbridled appetite, passion and self- 
love, a trinity of evils, mounted the vacant throne and man 
became the bond slave of sin and Satan. Now Jesus the Lamb 
of God comes to crucify and subdue appetite, passion and self- 
love, and by regeneration replace conscience en the throne. 
The first step in this glorious work is to meet and conquer 
Satan on the same battlefield of temptation where Adam was 
conquered, and show man, in all ages, how to resist and over- 
come temptation. He came to our Savior as he did to Eve, 
first appealing to his appetite of hunger, and said : "If thou 
be the Son of God command these stones to be made bread. 
Jesus refused to obey, saying, "It is written man shall not live 
by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the 
mouth of God." Satan then, as he did with our first parents 
in Eden, appealed to passion, especially love of display, He 
taketh him up into the pinnacle of the temple, where there 
were two million Jews assembled for the passover feast in 
Jerusalem, and said : "If thou be the Son of God, cast thy- 
self down from thence; for it is written He will give his 
angels charge concerning thee, lest at any time thou dash thy 
foot against a stone. But Jesus said it is written, "Thou shalt 
not tempt the Lord thy God." Satan then taketh him up into 
an exceeding high mountain and showeth him all the king- 
doms and all the Tammany Halls of the world, and said: 
"All these are mine, and I will give them unto thee if thou 
wilt fall down and worship me." But Jesus said : "Get thee 
behind me Satan; it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord 
thy God and him only shalt thou serve." Then Satan leaveth 
him and good angels came and ministered unto him, for he 
had magnified the law that Adam had violated in the garden 
of Eden, and left an example for men in all ages how to resist 
the temptation of the devil. 

Having now beheld the Lamb of God in his glorious work 
of setting up his kingdom and his glorious triumph over satan's 
temptations in the wilderness, let us behold him as a preache* 
of righteousness, instructing his apostles and followers in the 
doctrines and duties of his kingdom. 



644 The Life and "Writings of 

He went up into the mountain with his opostles and the 
people came unto him, and he preached his ever memorable 
sermon called "the sermon on the mount." The first sentence 
is "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom 
of heaven; blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see 
God." Gladstone, the greatest statesman now on earth, says : 
"There are more lessons of wisdom and morality in this one 
sermon, than in all the teachings of Socrates, Aristotle and the 
greatest philosophers of Greece and Rome combined." It 
teaches all men, rich and poor, learned and unlearned, how xo 
live happily in this world and to prepare for the world to 
come." Even his enemies sent by the high priest to arrest 
him were so overwhelmed with his sublime and heart search- 
ing truths, that they returned saying : "Never man spake like 
this man." But time forbids us to follow him in his sublime 
and holy teachings. But I exhort you, my dear hearers, to 
read and study these glorious lessons daily, often on your 
knees. It is a mournful fact that many Christians and even 
preachers, are growing more and more careless about read- 
ing God's word. But it is a sad fact that while the teachings 
of some men are noble and sublime, they do not practice them 
in their daily lives. But our blessed Savior wmt about doing 
good, healing the sick, opening the eyes of the blind, unstop- 
ping the ears of the deaf, causing the lame to walk, and rais- 
ing the dead. 

Now let us behold with adoring love his sympathy for the 
poor, the weeping and broken hearted. See him weeping 
with Mary and Martha at the grave of their beloved Lazarus, 
till his vilest enemies said, behold how he loved him. And 
hear him saying, "Lazarus, come forth." And Jesus restores 
him to the joyful embrace of his sisters. Behold also his 
tender sympathy for the widow at Nain, following her only 
son to the grave. He touches the coffin and says, "Young man, 
arise." And he arose up before the astonished multitude and 
he restores him to his mother's loving embrace. Behold 
also his tender love for little children, when the mothers 
brought them to Jesus, the preachers rebuked them ; but when 
Jesus saw it, he was much displeased and said, "Suffer the 
little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 645 

such is the kingdom of heaven." Oh if the 300,000 Baptists 
of Texas, white and colored, would follow the example of our 
blessed Savior, Texas would soon become what her name in 
the Aztec language means, "A paradise." But while our 
Savior was thus' going about and doing good he said the "Foxes 
have holes, and the birds have nests, but the Son of Man hath 
not where to lay his head." And while he is teaching these 
heuvenly doctrines of joy and salvation, satan stirred up the 
hearts of wicked men to say, "He hath a devil, and casteth out 
devils by Beelzebub, away with him, he is not fit to live." 
All because his spotless life and heavenly teaching exposed 
their sinful hearts and wicked practices. 

Let us now behold the Lamb of God as he offers up his 
life in the Garden of G-ethsemane and on the cross of Calvary. 
This wonderful offering of the Lamb of God was in immediate 
connection with the Passover feast of the Jews. When the 
Lord sent the Angel of Death to destroy tbe first born of 
every family in Egypt, he commanded Moses to instruct every 
family in Egypt to kill a spotless lamb and sprinkle the door 
posts with its blood, and the angel of death would pass over 
every house, on which the blood of the lamb was sprinkled. 
The Jews had observed that ordinance for 1500 years, com- 
memorating the saving of the Jewish families by the sprink- 
ling of the blood of the lamb. This passover feast also pointed 
forward to the time when the blood of the true Lamb of God 
should be poured out to sprinkle and cleanse every human 
heart from sin. The Savior observed that solemn feast, point- 
ing to his own death. And while eating this passover supper 
with his twelve apostles, he said with grief, "Verily, verily, I 
say unto you, one of you shall betray me, and it were better 
for him if he had never been born." And they began to say 
"Lord is it I?" And Jesus said, "It is he to whom T shall 
give the sop when I have dipped it." And having dipped it, 
he gave it to Judas Iscariot, who had already covenanted with 
the Jews to betray him. And Judas said with brazen impud- 
ence, "Lord, is it I?" And Judas having received the sop 
went out immediately. After eating the passover supper, and 
after Judas had gone out, the blessed Savior instituted the 
Lord's Supper. "Which should, through all the coming ages, 



646 The Life and Writings of 

point back to the death of the Lamb of God. He took bread 
and blessed and break it, and gave it to his disciples, saying : 
"Take, eat, this is my body; and He took the cup and gave 
thanks and gave it to them saying, drink ye ail of it, for this 
is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for the re- 
mission of sins.' 1 ' And when they had sung a hymn they went 
out into Gethsemane, where Jesus often resorted with his dis- 
ciples. And Jesus, bearing the sins of the whole world, said : 
"My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death." "Watch 
ye here, while I go and pray yonder." And he went a little 
farther and fell on his face, saying : "Oh, my Father, if it be 
possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless not as I will, 
but as thou wilt." And he cometh to his disciples and findeth 
them asleep. He went away a second time and prayed, "Oh, 
my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me except I 
drink it, thy will be done." And being in an agony, he prayed 
more earnestly and his sweat as it were great drops of blood 
falling down to the ground. 

Oh, my hearers, let us by faith behold the Lamb of God 
as pressed down to earth with a mountain load of our sins, 
and hear him say, as the drops of blood are falling, "This blood 
is for thy ransom paid, I die that thou mayest live." 

Skeptics have sneeringly asked why Socrates could drink 
the fatal hemlock, and die so calmly without a tear or groan, 
yet Jesus the Son of God fell to the ground and shed great 
drops of blood. Yet alas, alas, in their blindness they do not 
see that Jesus was bearing sins and the sins of the whole world. 
For the "Lord had laid upon him the iniquity of us all, and the 
sins of the whole world." Oh, sinner, it was your sins and 
my sins, that pressed the innocent Lamb of God to the earth. 
And if he had not taken away our sins they would sink us 
down to a gulf of dark despair, and through all ages we 
would cry for a drop of water to cool our parched tongues. 
And behold the Lamp of God in our stead wearing a crown 
of thorns, that we might wear a star gemmed crown of glory. 
And he wears a mock robe of royalty that we may wear a 
spotless robe of white for evermore. And he hangs on the 
bloody cross, that we may sit on resplendent thrones. For 
behold the Lamb of God as he bears his cross laden with the 
sins of the world up Calvary's summit. He faints and falls 



Dr. Ritfus C. Burleson. 647 

to the ground. And behold the Lamb of God as he is nailed 
to the cross. Oh, my hearers, see his precious blood as it 
flows from his head, crowned with thorns, and his hands and 
feet, pierced with nails, and his loving heart, pierced with the 
cruel spear. All for you and for me. Let us go and stand 
"with his weeping mother and loving disciples by his cross, and 
hear his trembling, dying lips say: "This blood is for thy 
ransom paid; I die that thou mayest live." Behold while the 
Lamb of God is thus offering his soul a sacrifice to take away 
sin, heaven and earth and angels sympathize with their dying 
Lord. The earth trembles and quakes. The rocks open their 
dumb mouths and rebuke the madness and crime of men. 
The graves open their mouths and the sainted dead come forth. 
The sun refuses to look on the awful scene and hides his face 
and leaves the world in darkness at mid-day for three hours. 
Sixty thousand angels gather round the throne of God, ready 
to rush down and sink this world to hell, and on wings of love 
bear their Lord and Master back to his throne of glory. But 
after hanging three dreadful hours in agony, the Lamb of 
God cried aloud, with a voice that shakes earth and hell, and 
echoes amid all the shining ranks of angels, "It is finished, it 
is finished,' 7 The atonement of the sin of the world is fin- 
ished. "0 Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit." 
And while his soul ascends to paradise his body enters the 
grave. And there grapples with death for three days and 
three nights. When, behold, we hear him shout, "Oh, death, 
where is thy sting; oh, grave, where is thy victory?" And he 
trampled on the power of death and comes forth a glorious 
conqueror. And now behold the Lamb of God as in triumph 
he walks the earth. And for forty days he mingles with the 
rejoicing disciples and instructs them fully as to their duties 
and the future glorious triumphs of the gospel, in banishing 
sin and Satan from the earth. 

And, finally, behold the Lamb of God as surrounded by 
the apostles and the five hundred disciples he ascends Mount 
Olivet, and, standing on that heaven towering summit, says : 
"Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every 
creature, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and 
Holy Ghost; and lo I am with you alway, even unto the end 
of the world." 



648 The Life and Writings of 

-And now behold him as in a chariot of fire, escorted by 
millions of angels and redeemed spirits, he ascends above suns, 
moons and stars as conqueror over death, hell and the grave 
to heaven and glory, and takes his seat on the mediatorial 
throne to intercede for sinners and pour down blessings on the 
church, till sin shall be taken away from this world. 

Now, oh, my unconverted friend, hear him as he sits on 
the throne of mercy, saying: "Father, behold the prints of 
the nails in my hands and the spear thrust in my side, and 
forgive that young man, forgive that young lady, forgive that 
prayerless father, and that prayerless mother." And he will 
continue these intercessions till sin is taken from the world 
and this world becomes a paradise. Let us now behold the 
Lamb of God, as crowned with glory he sits upon the media- 
torial throne and guides his church or army on earth in taking 
away sin and driving Satan from this planet*. His first grand 
act of mercy is on the day of Pentecost to pour out his Holy 
Spirit on his church assembled in prayer. He thus enabled 
his preachers to tell the story of the cross in seventeen different 
languages, and three thousand were added to the church in 
one day. Very soon we hear that five thousand men are con- 
verted on seeing the miracles and hearing the sermons of Peter 
and John in one day. In less than one year we hear the 
scribes and Pharisees saying in despair, "Ye have filled Jeru- 
salem with your doctrine." Soon we hear that Symaria has 
received the word of salvation. And we see the learned 
young Saul of Tarsus on his way to Damascus to arrest and 
carry all Christian men and women down to Jerusalem, by 
the power of Jesus falling to the ground and hearing a voice 
saying, "Saul, Saul, why persecuteth thou me?" And the 
bloody persecutor, converted by the blood of Jesus, says, 
'•Lord, what will thou have me to do ?" And after his con- 
version and baptism he becomes a powerful preacher of the 
glorious gospel, before the priests, philosophers and kings of 
the earth. And we hear the allies of Satan crying: "Lo, 
these men that have turned the world upside down, have come 
hither also." And we hear the despairing idolaters raising 
the vain cry, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians." And the 
glorious army of Jesus marched victoriously on. Amid racks, 



Dr. Ritfus C. Burleson. 649 

torches and dungeons till Jerusalem, stained with a Saviour's 
blood, and the blood of the early martyrs, lies prostrate in 
ruins, and the heathen temples, as if smitten by an invisible 
hand, are deserted, and priests and gods flee from their falling 
shrines. And the religion of Jesus ascends the throne of the 
Caesars. And Constantine placed the cross beside the Koman 
Eagle on the banners of the Roman armies. But, alas, in spite 
of all the warnings of Paul in his epistles, and John's Revela- 
tion from the Isle of Patmos, Satan, using ambitious men and 
nominal Christian preachers, succeeds in forming a union of 
Christianity and heathenism. This unholy union was con- 
summated in. 607 A. D. by the bloody Emperor Phocas and 
Pope Boniface. And all the power of the Roman empire, was 
exerted to maintain this amalgamation of heathenism and 
Christianity under the name of the Holy Catholic Church. 
This unholy union became the bloodiest persecuting power the 
world ever knew. But John on the Isle of Patmos predicted 
that this unholy union should last only 1,260 years, when the 
temporal power of the Pope was crushed by the victorious ar- 
mies of Victor Emanuel. And soon all the mighty bulwarks 
of Satan will pass away, and prepare the way for the millen- 
nium. But during all the days of the reign of the Man of 
Sin, or the church of Rome, the true church of Jesus has 
been accomplishing a glorious work. And by long years of 
persecution is more fully prepared for the conquests of the 
whole world. But many doubting, timid Christians often ask 
what are the evidences that the Lamb of G-od will take away 
all sin and drive Satan from this planet. We answer, first of 
all, the never failing promises of God. Second, the marvel- 
ous progress of Christianity in the last hundred years. Time 
allows us to mention only a few of these marks of progress. 
In 179 — the Christian world was wrapped in profound sleep 
in regard to the last great command of our Saviour, "Go ye 
into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." 
Till a devout Christian shoemaker, William Carey, reading 
of the burning of wives on the grave of .their dead husbands, 
and the horrors of heathenism as practiced in British India, 
was stirred in all the depths of his soul to carry the gospel to 
the lost heathen. At first he was ridiculed, and when he 



650 The Life and Writings of 

arose in a Baptist association to urge the dnty of carrying the 
gospel to the heathen, he was declared "out of order.' 1 £ut 
now India is flooded with the glorious light of the gospel; 
women and children are sacrificed no more on burning altars. 
And soon India will rank among the first of Christian nations. 
In 1823, the year I was born, there was not a Sabbath school 
on this continent west of the Alleghany Mountains, when 
Mr. Felix Grundy and James Thomas, a Baptist deacon, es- 
tablished a little Sunday-school in South Nashville. In 1826 
there was not a Sabbath-school in Texas, and Thomas J. Pil- 
grim founded the first Sunday-school, in a live oak grove near 
San Felipe. Now there are over three million Sunday-school 
children in the Mississippi Valley. In 1848 there were but 
1,900 Baptists in Texas. Now there are 213,000 white and 
83,000 colored Baptists. And there never was a time when 
the whole Christian world was becoming so aroused as to 
their duty in driving heathenism, sin and Satan from this 
planet. And while our blessed Savious told his disciples, 
"It is not for you to know the times and the seasons, the 
Father hath put in his own hands." Yet there are many 
signs of the times leading us to hope and to believe that the 
day is near at hand, which John predicted, "an angel should 
come down from heaven, having a key to the great bottomless 
pit, and a chain in his hands, and should lay hold on the 
dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, and 
bind him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless 
pit, and he shall deceive the nations of the earth no more, 
till the thousand years are fulfilled." And "a nation shall 
be born to God in a day." And Millennial light and glory 
shall girdle the whole earth ; then there shall not be a gambling 
house, a saloon, a theater, a race ground, a heathen temple or a 
Mohammedan Mosque on this planet. Then there shall be 
no divisions among Christians. But all shall be united under 
the same banner. "One Lord, one faith, and one baptism," 

My dear hearers, I trust the Millennial era will begin 
early in the twentieth century and many of you will live to 
see the dawning of Millennial day. Oh, then, in God's name, 
I implore you, to prepare for this glorious era. But after the 
Millennial reign of a thousand years, Satan shall be loosed out 



Dr. Ritfus C. Burleson. 651 

of his prison for a little season, and will go out again to de- 
ceive the nations of the earth. But finally behold the Lamb 
of God as he comes again to the earth to take away sin and 
Satan and purge the earth with fire. He will come, not as 
a babe in Bethlehem, or as a Saviour, to suffer for the sins of 
the world. A mighty archangel as his messenger shall come 
down from heaven, and placing one foot upon the land and 
the other on the sea, shall swear, "That time shall be no more." 
Then a great white throne shall be erected, from whose face 
the heavens being on fire shall flee away. And the mighty 
men of earth, the Neros, the Caesars, the Bonapartes, shall 
cry, rocks and mountains fall on us and hide us from the face 
of him that sitteth on the throne. But the sea and the grave 
and hell shall give up the dead in them, and they shall all 
stand before the great white throne, and the books will be 
opened, and they shall be judged out of those things that are 
written in the books according to their works. And sin &ad 
death and hell shall be cast into the lake of fire, and whoso- 
ever was not found written in the Book of Life shall be cast 
into the lake or fire. And this earth, as Peter tells us, "shall 
be purged with fire, and the last vestige of sin shall be taken 
away, and earth shall be made a part of heaven itself. And 
shall be a home for the saints of God. 

My dear hearers, let me imploringly ask you to-day, is 
your name written in that Lamb's Book of Life ? If not, re- 
member that with sin and Satan you must be taken away from 
this earth, and dwell eternally with Satan in the lake of fire, 
prepared for the devil and his angels. But will you by faith 
"Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the 
world/ 7 and say, "Here, Lord, I give myself to thee, body and 
soul, for time and for eternity." 



DEACONSHIP. 

DEDICATED TO THE DEACONS OF TEXAS. 

They that have used the office of a deacon well, purchase to 
them selves a good degree and great boldness in the faith. I 
Tim. 3:13. 

Scripture Lesson, Acts 6:1-7; I Tim. 3:8-15. 

Paul was not only a great scholar and philosopher, but 
an inspired apostle, and had been "caught up to the third 



652 The Life and Writings of 

heavens, and saw things now lawful (or possible) for man to 
utter." And he gives this text to impress upon his sou Tim- 
othy and Christians in all ages the importance of the deacon's 
office. Yet it is a mournful fact that this office is little un- 
derstood and greatly perverted by many professing Christians 
in all denominations. 

Indeed, it appears to have been a special and great device 
of Satan, the enemy of the human family, to pervert and ob- 
scure this great office. And yet it is clearly defined and re- 
corded in the Holy Scriptures. The great majority of pro- 
fessing Christians have perverted the office of deacon and 
made it the first grade or degree of the priesthood. And even 
the Baptists who understand it theoretically have a very lim- 
ited and obscure view of its power and importance. That 
Baptists should make this mistake is more remarkable, as they 
take the Bible as their only rule of faith and practice. And, 
besides this, all Baptist history demonstrates that wherever 
Baptists have been eminently successful, there have been wise 
and devout deacons. Deacon ¥m. Xiffin, eminent as a 
banker and a deacon, laid the foundation of the glorious suc- 
cess of the Baptist cause in London. Kiffin became a lay 
preacher, but did his great work as a deacon. Deacon Kiffin 
years before prepared the way for a Spurgeon. If there had 
been no Deacon Kiffin there would have been no Spurgeon. 
Richmond, Virginia, would never have become the grand Bap- 
tist city it is but for the power and influence of Deacons 
James and William Crane. A faithful and pious deacon, 
Hedman Lincon, prepared the way for the glorious Baptist 
success in Boston, where the very name of Baptist had been 
loathed and despised. Deacon John D. Rockefeller has made 
Chicago a grand Baptist city and given that city the greatest 
Baptist college in the world. Deacon Colgate has made the 
Baptist cause in the city and State of New York a power never 
known before. And Deacon Levering, of Baltimore, has 
made the Baptist cause a power never known before in that 
great Catholic city. By the aid of Deacon Levering the 
grand orator and divine, Richard Fuller, was enabled to lay 
a broad and grand foundation of Baptist success in that city, 
supposed to belong exclusively to the Catholics. 



Dk. Kufus C. Bukleso^. 653 

Deacons Thomas and John Hollis, father and son, added 
great strength and glory to the missionary and educational 
work, not only in London, but they endowed the Hollis pro- 
fessorship in Harvard University. This was the first profes- 
sorship ever endowed in America, and these noble deacons 
stipulated that the professorship should be filled by none but 
orthodox Christians. They endowed ten scholarships, five of 
whom were to be Baptists. Dr. Temple, a pious deacon, laid 
the foundation of the Baptist cause in Chicago by securing 
and supporting liberally the first preacher ever sent to the city 
of Chicago. Truly, they that "use the office of the deacon 
well purchase to themselves a good degree and great boldness 
in the faith." 

And what is true of our great cities is equally true in 
our villages and country churches. During my ministry of 
over half a hundred years in Texas, wherever I have found 
faithful Baptist deacons there I have found the Baptist cause 
prospering. The office of deacon is based upon plain common 
sense, wisdom and experience in all the great affairs of life. 
No government and no organization, whether religious, po- 
litical, educational or domestic, can ever succeed unless there 
is a well regulated and efficient system of finances. And our 
Heavenly Father in love and wisdom appointed the office of 
deacon to provide and wisely direct the finances of the busi- 
ness department of his church. And we should remember 
that God has pronounced a fearful curse on every man and 
every church that "takes from or adds to" that office, which 
he has so closely defined and recorded in the Holy Bible — 

Let us then prayerfully and earnestly consider — 

First, what is the office of deacon. 

Second, the importance of the deacon. 

Third, how can the office of deacon be "used well." 

1. In regard to the office of deacon, let us remember 
that the grand maxim of interpretation of all Jaw is this, "the 
reason of the law is the interpretation of the law." Let us, 
therefore, note carefully what was the reason for establishing 
the deacon's office. The Holy Bible, in Acts 6:1-8, clearly 
defines what was the occasion and reason for establishing the 
deacon's office. 



654 The Life and Writings of 

"And in those days, when the number of disciples was 
multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against 
the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the 
daily ministration. 

"Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples 
unto them and said, 'It is not reason that we should leave the 
word of God, and serve tables.' 

"Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among ye seven men 
of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom ye 
may appoint over this business. 

"But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to 
the ministry of the word. 

"And the saying pleased the whole multitude; and they 
chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, 
and Philip, and Prochorus, and Mcanor, and Timon, and Par- 
menas, and Mcolas a proselite of Antioch. 

"Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had 
prayed, they laid their hands on them. 

"And the word of God increased; and the number of the 
disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great com- 
pany of the priests were obedient to the faith. 

"And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great won- 
ders and miracles among the people." Acts -3-: 1-8. 

We see, then, the great reason for establishing the office 
of deacon was to enable the preachers to "give themselves 
continually to prayer and the ministry of the word." For 
this reason seven deacons were selected by the church and 
solemnly ordained by the apostles to look after the widows 
and orphans and every secular interest of the church. We see 
the reason here given for establishing the office of deacon 
clearly shows deacons were never intended to be. preachers. 
As their office was to relieve the preachers from every care, 
even the charities of the church. How unwise it is to sup- 
pose they were preachers, ordained to enable other preachers 
"to give themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word." 
But it has been said that Stephen the evangelist, one of the 
seven deacons, became a celebrated preacher. But this has 
frequently occurred in all ages of the world. Men who were 
first ordained deacons afterwards felt a burning desire to save 



Dr. Ruftts C. Burleson. 655 

souls, and heard the solemn sound ringing in their ears, "woe 
is me if I preach not the gospel/ 7 and became ordained preach- 
ers. Two dear friends of mine, Bro. John M. Cummings, of 
Alabama, and Jas. M. Maxey, of Texas, were first ordained 
deacons, but afterwards felt it their duty to preach the gospel, 
and were ordained and became eminent preachers. How un- 
wise it would be for future generations reading the history of 
these illustrious men to conclude that the Baptists of Ala- 
bama and Texas regarded the office of deacon as the first de- 
gree of the ministry. 

2. Let us consider the importance of the deacon's of- 
fice. "We have a striking illustration of the importance of the 
deacon's office in the church at Jerusalem, for immediately 
after the ordaining of the seven deacons to look after the chari- 
ties of the churches, "the "Word of God increased and the 
number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem and a 
great number of the priests became obedient to the faith." 

And, as we have stated, in all the cities of the world, and 
in every village and neighborhood, where there are faithful 
deacons providing tenderly for the widows and orphans and 
strangers and all the financial interests of the church, there re- 
ligion prospers and souls are converted to God. It is an 
alarming fact that there are over one thousand Baptist preach- 
ers in Texas not giving themselves continually to prayer and 
the Word." And there are over two hundred churches with- 
out pastors and scores and hundreds of towns and neigh- 
borhoods without preaching. And when we think of the 
thousands of souls perishing for the want of the gospel and 
that the welfare of Texas and our whole government depends 
on the moral purity of the gospel, we should be profoundly 
impressed with the importance of the deacon's office, ordained 
of God to "give himself continually to the Word." Again, 
the importance of the deacon's office may be clearly seen by 
the exalted qualifications required of deacons, which I fear is 
often painfully neglected. The Bible declares that deacons 
must be men of "honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and 
wisdom, not double-tongued, not given to wine, not greedy 
for the filthy lucre, holding the mystery of the faith in a 
pure conscience. Let these also first be proved, then let them 



656 The Life and Writings of 

use the office of a deacon, being found blameless/ 7 "Even so 
must their wives be grave, not slanderers, but sober and faith- 
ful in all things, ruling their children and their own houses 
well." But no language of mine can so powerfully illustrate 
the importance of the deacon's office as the words of Paul, 
who declares "they that have used the office of a deacon well 
have purchased to themselves a good degree and boldness in 
the faith." Remember, that "purchase" here means to pro- 
cure an undoubted title, and "a good degree" means great 
eminence. And that "boldness in the faith" means greater 
power or usefulness in Christianity. The true translation is 
this, "they that use the office of a deacon well procure for 
themselves an undoubted title to great eminence and power in 
Christianity." In view of the vast importance of the dea- 
con's office, I have often thought it would be a great blessing 
to the church if some Colgate or Rockefeller would endow a 
theological seminary or Bible school to train deacons for their 
great and important duties. But as this is impracticable, 
let us have often seasons of prayer and sermons and essays in 
all our missionary meetings, setting forth the great importance 
of the office of deacon. And especially let us urge upon all 
Christians to aid deacons at all times in their great and im- 
portant duties. I would urge earnestly every deacon in Texas 
to procure and read "Howell on Deaconship," a great and 
timely little volume, published many years ago by my venera- 
ble and beloved pastor, Dr. R. B. C. Howell, of Nashville, 
Tennessee. Dr. Howell shows clearly that nine-tenths of the 
preachers and churches are greatly impaired in their useful- 
ness because the deacons fail to use well the deacon's office in 
raising the money absolutely necessary for the charities of the 
churches. Having now presented for your careful considera- 
tion 

1. "What the office of deacon is. 

2. The great importance of the office. 

3. In conclusion let us inquire how we can "use the 
office of a deacon well," and make it a great power for the 
salvation of men and the glory of God and his church. First 
of all, the church should carefully and prayerfully select only 
such men as have the scriptural qualifications of deacons The 



Dr. Kitfus C. Burleson. 657 

Greek word translated in our text, "look ye out/' is an in- 
tensive verb, and should be translated "look ye out carefully. 7 ' 
If the selection is made carelessly inevitable failure will fol- 
low. I would advise every church to spend a day in prayer 
and fasting for divine aid before electing their deacons. But 
what if a church in carefully looking out for deacons find they 
have no brethren possessing all of these qualifications ? This 
occurred once where I was called on to preach on the deacon's 
office. The brethren elected said we have not the qualifica- 
tions specified in the Bible, and, therefore cannot accept this 
great and holy office. I asked them: "Are you willing to 
promise God and the church that you will earnestly and pray- 
erfully seek to attain these qualifications ?" They said : "We 
are willing, but must have time to reflect and pray over the 
matter and consult with the brethren." After one month, at 
the earnest, unanimous consent of the church, they consented 
to accept ordination. And they "used the office of deacon 
well," and gained great power and usefulness for the church 
and the cause of religion. But after the deacons are thus 
carefully selected and solemnly ordained by the laying on of 
the hands of the presbytery, they should study daily ami pray- 
erfully the great and solemn duties of their office, and pray to 
God for wisdom, love and courage to perform these duties, 
especially in caring for the helpless widows and orphans, and 
the sick and homeless strangers, and all the finances of the 
church. But the church should be careful not to impose the 
sad duties of discipline on the deacons. The discipline of err- 
ing brethren is no part of the deacon's office, and will injure 
their success in their great and appropriate duties. Deacons, 
therefore, should be relieved from all cases of discipline, ex- 
cept in such peculiar cases as they alone can perform to the 
greatest advantage. And then they are to act not as deacons, 
but as private members. But by all means never let the dea- 
cons conclude that it is a part of their office to manage the 
pastor and guide him in his official duties. Some deacons in 
Texas have made this fearful mistake, and brought ruin on 
the church and shame on themselves. The beacons should, 
like Aaron and Hur, hold the hands of the pastor and pray 
and counsed with him as to their duties and all the interests 

42 



058 



The Life akd Writings of 



of the church. The deacons, as prominent officials of the 
church, should do all in their power, by example, advice and 
prayer, to promote the peace and harmony of the church, and 
carry light, joy and relief to lonely widows, weeping orphans 
and helpless strangers, and relieve the pastor and church from 
financial trouble. Let it be remembered, also, that every 
member of the church is in honor and in conscience bound to 
aid the deacons in discharging the great duties assigned them. 
And let them remember that every deacon and every member 
thus acting will attain great power with God and men in the 
salvation of the world. 







PART VI. 



"THE OLD GUARD" BIOGRAPHIES 



BY DR. BURLESON. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 663 



"THE OLD GUARD" BIOGRAPHIES 



BY DR. BURLESON 



PREFATORY REMARKS. 

For several years it was Dr. Burleson's intention to pub- 
lish a book entitled "The Old Guard. " In this book it wad 
his desire to embalm, for all time, the names and heroic deeds 
of the noble men and women, who, as pioneers in a great 
wilderness, laid broad and deep the foundations of this mighty 
empire state; and also of later but equally worthy characters, 
who, by their self-sacrifice and patriotic devotion, made the 
desert blossom as the rose. 

It is a matter of regret that this work was not completed. 
The biographies of many, who were near and dear to his heart, 
were not written when the Master said: "Write no more." 
Some articles, which he had written, have not been found 
among his papers. 

The scope of the present work is such that only small 
space can be given to "The Old Guard." Hence we have 
selected such biographies as in our judgment represent what 
Dr. Burleson intended to do in this line had his life been 
spared. 

We trust this statement will be sufficient to explain the 
absence of any which fail to appear. 

— Editor. 



6Q4: The Life axd Writings of 

THE OLD GITAKD. 

THEIR WORK AND CO-LALORERS. 

For many years I have been importuned to put on record 
my recollections of the early struggles of Texas Baptist Pio- 
neers. 

The importunities have come from every part of Texas, 
and from Alabama, Missouri, Massachusetts, Georgia and 
other States. 

Yet the mighty duties immediately connected with my 
grand life purpose of building up for all ages a great Texas 
Baptist University have so completely absorbed all my time 
and power that all I could do hitherto has been to gather up 
a vast amount of material for future use. 

And all I will be able to do will be to deposit my collec- 
tion in a great warehouse, to be incorporated by the future His- 
torian into a glorious history of Texas Baptists. 

I trust that what I or any other man may do will not be 
pleaded as an excuse, to any man, for not contributing inci- 
dents, facts and personal reminiscences of our heroic fathers. 
Texas has the material for a grander epic than Homer's immor- 
tal Iliad, or the more beautiful epic of the iEneid of Virgil. 
In this glorious history Baptist men and women have acted a 
glorious part as pathfinders and foundation builders. 

When our Texas becomes the grandest State between the 
oceans all the world will have a desire to know all about the 
men whose blood, tears and heroism rescued this beautiful 
paradise — as the Aztecs called it — from Mexican misrule and 
the Indian scalping knife. 

Then, I trust, some Homer, Virgil, Walter Scott or 
Macaulay will put on tablets of undying record the deeds of 
the founders of Texas' greatness and glory. 

By the "Old Guard" I mean that heroic band of pioneer 
preachers, as found in Texas in 1848, sustained either by the 
Southern Baptist Convention or their efforts. This "Old 
Guard" and their co-laborers laid deep and broad the founda- 
tion of a pyramid of piety and learning that will rise higher 
than the pyramids of Egypt and increase in splendor when the 
pyramids of Egypt lie mouldering in the dust. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 665 

Their names, as given by Col. E. J. Mayers in 1857, are : 
Eevs. ¥m. M. Try on, James Huckins, Z. N. Morrell, R. E. 
B. Baylor, Noah T. Byars, Noah Hill, P. B. Chandler, Jesse 
Witt, W. M. Pickins, Rufus C. Burleson, H. Garrett, Henry 
L. Graves, R. H. Taliaferro, Richard Ellis, J. W. D. Creath, 
B. B. Baxter, David Lewis, Dr. A. E. Clemmons, John A. 
Freeman, David Myers, G. W. Slaughter, A. Burlington, 
James R.Jenkins, James H. Stribling, and David B. Morrill. 

These men did not tumble into Texas by accident, or 
come without plan or method. Their early battle cry was: 
a Oh, God, Give me Texas for Jesus and His Church, or I 
die !" Alexander Hamilton and Napoleon never planned a 
military campaign with more earnest thought and undying 
enthusiasm than did this advance guard of civilization. This 
"Old Guard" planned the conquest of all Texas for King 
Jesus. 

The Aarons and Hurs, the Phoebes and Priscillas, who 
held up the hands and fixed the hearts of these grand men, 
were : Gen. Sam Houston and his angel wife, Maggie : Gov. 
A. C. Horton, Hon. Isaac Yanzandt, Gen. Thomas G. Brooks, 
Hon. E.P.Turner, Hon. O. H. P. Garrett, Hon. A. G. Haynes, 
Nelson Cavjanaugh, Hon. E. B. Noble, Hon. James W. 
Barnes, Tyrell Jackson, Eli Mercer, Hon. Joe Harrell, Col. 
Richard A. Jarman, Hon. J. M. Maxey, Hon. J. G. Thomas, 
Col. Nathan Fuller, Gail Borden, Hon. James P. Cole, 
Thomas J. Pilgrim, W. H. Cleveland, Mrs. Gov. Hal G. Run- 
nells, Mrs. Laura H. Jack, Mrs. Sydnor, Mrs. Piety L. Had- 
ley, Mrs. Matilda Fuller, Mrs. Dr. Young, Mrs. Carey D. 
Tucker, Mrs. Dickinson, the heroine of the Alamo, Rev. M. 
Y. Smith and others. 

I wish to call attention to the fact : First, I am not writ- 
ing the history of all the great and good men of early Texas. 
But only of "The Old Gurad," or the band of missionaries and 
their co-laborers whom I found here in 1848, and who were 
actively engaged in our education and missionary work as 
pushed on by the Baptist State Convetion. 

There are many noble brethren and sisters, all dear to 
my heart, whose pious deeds are all recorded in God's book of 



666 The Life and Writings of 

remembrance, and which I would rejoice to re'cord here, but 
I would I fear "wear out the patience of the saints." 

Second. I trust what I write will only stimulate others 
to write and supply any additional facts and correct any mis- 
takes I make in dates and facts. I do not profess infallibility, 
and will rejoice in all additional facts and corrections. I am 
alreay importuned by scores of wise and good brethren to re- 
vise and enlarge these sketches and publish them in book form, 
with the likeness of the principal actors. This labor of love I 
would gladly do if demanded by the best interest of our Re- 
deemer's cause and should time and strength be allowed. 

Third. Let it never be forgotten that all we can do now 
is to pile up a great store of facts for some future Macaulay, 
D'Aubigne or Armitage, or some Homer, Virgil or Milton. 
All I write now is in broken intervals of time, often after mid- 
night, snatched from pressing official duties and thrown hur- 
riedly together, without time for beauty of style or historical 
order. 

Fourth. My motto through life has been that grand old 
Roman motto, "Nihil de mortuis nisi bonum" — "Nothing 
concerning the dead but good. All the dear Old Gruard had 
faults, all but, like the spots on the sun, were lost in the bright- 
ness of their sunny excellence. 

Fifth. Let it never be forgotten that I am straining with 
all the earnestness of my soul to record every fact just as I 
saw it or learned on good testimony of eye-witnesess, and with- 
out a particle of subtractions or colorings of fancy. Any 
man sixty-five vears old is a fool who does not know that truth 
is mightier than fiction. It is this that gives the "Flowers 
and Fruits" of Father Morrell such a charm. 

It was the superior power of truth that caused grand old 
Cromwell to say to the painter, "Paint me as I am;" our own 
great Cleveland to say,- "Tell the truth, if it kills me." That 
writer is to be pitied as silly, suicidal and criminal who draws 
on his fancy for facts and his prejudices for his principles. 
But I would be something more or something less than a man 
if, in recording my impression of the deeds and characters of 
my co-laborers, nearly all of whom are in their graves, did T 
not show that 



Dr. Rufus C. Burlesox. 667 

"Time but the impression stronger makes, 
As streams their channels deeper wear." 

But with all the earnestness -of my soul, I will strive to 
paint every man just as he was. In this will consist the 
greatest beauty and power of all I write. 

Sixth, and lastly, I trust it will be remembered that these 
historic sketches are my personal reminiscences, and any seem- 
ing immodesty in referring to my connection with the Old 
Guard will be overlooked. 

RUFUS C. BURLESOK 



JAMES R. JENKINS, ESQ. 

As we have seen, James Jenkins, A. Buffington and 
H. R. Cartmell were appointed a committee by the consulta- 
tion meeting of the scattering Baptists of Texas, assembled at 
Washington, to write an appeal to the older States to aid in 
giving the bread of life to Texas. Their burning appeal 
aroused the great heart and purse of Jesse Mercer, and fired 
the Texas missionary zeal of Rev. James Huckins and Rev. 
¥m. M. Tryon. 

I propose to give a brief sketch of each of the committee. 
As James R. Jenkins was my father-in-law — suppressing all 
the devotion I feel for his memory — I will give the plain his- 
toric facts of his life and glorious death. 

He was the son of Capt. James Jenkins, a brave officer 
in the Revolutionary war, and was born in Green County, 
Georgia, in 1810. 

He was converted and baptized at the age of nineteen by 
Elder J. M. Lumpkin, the noble peer of Young Rhodes and 
Jesse Mercer. He became an active member for life of the 
Baptist Church. 

He was educated in Mercer University, at Penfield, Ga., 
during the presidency of Rev. Billington Sanders, who was a 
Gato in firmness and a Paul in zeal. The student was not only 
an admirer, but an example of the firmness and honest integ- 
rity of his beloved President. In the halls of grand old 
Mercer he formed the lifelong friendship of Rev. Wm. M. 
Tryon, Rev. Noah Hill, and scores of other noble spirits. 



668 The Life and Writings of 

He studied law under Gen. Hugh Haraldson in 1836, 
and came to Texas and settled at Washington in 1837. 

His exalted integrity, moral character and devotion to his 
profession placed him at once among the leading members 
of the Washington bar, then the most talented bar in Western 
Texas. He rose rapidly in the confidence of the people, and 
was elected a member of the third Texas Congress of the 
Republic. 

Political life had no charms for him, but as a conscien- 
tious Christian he saw clearly that the Texas land laws, espe- 
cially the eleven-league Mexican grants, would lead to endless 
law suits, enriching lawyers and impoverishing the people. 
He clearly pointed out the dangers and the remedy. But, 
alas, his warnings were disregarded, either from blindness or 
cupidity. His wise counsels would have saved the Texas peo- 
ple millions of dollars and endless vexatious lawsuits. His 
home at Washington, and afterwards at Independence, was 
ever a home for Morrell and Baylor and Tryon and Huckins, 
and all the Old Guard, and especially for me in 1852-3. 

As a church member he was ever faithful, but for years 
one terrible doubt was an eating cancer on his vitals. A skep- 
tical friend, in an argument, drew a grand picture of the 
boundlessness of the universe — of 75,000,000 suns, with all 
their attendant planets, perchance peopled with bright intelli- 
gence, in comparison with which the earth, with all its inhab- 
itants, is but a grain of sand on the sea shore of God's 
immensity. Now, said the boastful skeptic, how absurd that 
the grand Maker and glorious Ruler of all these worlds would 
come down to earth sprinkle it with his tears, bathe it with his 
blood, and die on the cross for such wicked, contemptible 
creatures as men. His supreme reverence for God and his 
supreme modesty gave the infidel argument great power. 
Though, like Job, he could say, "I know by glorious expe- 
rience that my Redeemer liveth," yet the infidel's words were 
sharp as a sword. One Sabbath, by what we call accident in 
our blindness, but in reality is God's special providence, he 
heard me preach a sermon on the text, Ephesians 3 :10: "To 
! the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heav- 
enly places might be known by the church the manifold wis- 
dom of God." The grand theme was to show that the whole 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 669 

boundless universe, not merely our little grain of sand, the 
earth, was profoundly interested and eternally benefited by 
'Christ's death on the Cross, and that as Thermopylae, Bunker 
Hill and the Alamo were nothing in themselves, but only 
places where undying courage and patriotism were displayed, 
that had instructed and inspired heroes in all lands and ages, 
thus Calvary was the Christian Thermopylae and Alamo that 
displayed so wonderfully the love, the wisdom, and the holi- 
ness and justice of God that all angels, arch-angels, principali- 
ties, powers in all Heavenly places were instructed, benefited 
and forever blessed. This plain Bible view dispelled every 
doubt, and demonstrated that all infidel philosophy, falsely 
so called, is sounding brass and tinkling cymbals and as a 
dream when one awaketh. 

When he came to die, after long and painful sickness, he 
called me to his bedside and said: "Can it be possible that 
the glorious light of divine love is shining so brightly ? I am 
passing through the valley of death, but there is no shadow, 
but all is full of light and glory." He called all his family 
around him, bade all a tender farewell, and, taking up his two 
little sons, Warwick H. and Rufus, in his arms, laid his hands 
upon them, like the dying Jacob, and prayed that they might 
be true men and devoted Christians and meet him at Jesus' 
feet in glory. Then, folding his arms across his breast, with 
a smile and brightness of ineffable glory radiating his ema- 
ciated features, he closed his eyes in death, or, rather, opened 
his eyes on the angel bands and chariots of glory that came to 
carry him home. 

The resplendent glory beaming on every feature seemed 
silently to say, "The chariots, the chariots of glory." 



REV. WM. MELTON TRYOK 

This noble and devoted servant of God stands pre-emi- 
nent among the pioneer pathfinders and foundation builders of 
Texas. 

Bro. Tryon was born in the city of E"ew York, March 10, 
1810. 'He was of the same family as the celebrated Governor 



670 The Life and Writings of 

Tryon of New York of colonial days. His father died early, 
and he had to support a widowed mother by manual labor, 
which he did cheerfully and liberally. The prayers, tears 
and teaching of that noble mother led him to Jesus when he 
was seventeen years old. He joined the Baptists, and was 
baptized by that great and good preacher, Dr. Chas. G. Som- 
mers. Finding the climate of New York too cold, he went to 
Augusta, Ga., in 1832. He immediately joined the Baptist 
Church, as all young Christians should in moving to a new 
place. He soon felt he was called to preach the gospel, and 
the Church, recognizing his earnest piety and intelligence, 
rtadily licensed him. But having only a common English ed- 
ucation, he spent three years in Mercer University preparing 
for his grand lifework. While here he was ordained by the 
venerable Jesse Mercer and other eminent divines. Leaving 
college in 1837, he became pastor of the Baptist Churches at 
Washington, Lumpkin and Columbia, Ga. He was greatly 
blessed in his pastoral work and also in aiding other pastors in 
revivals. In 1839 he became pastor at Wetumka, Ala. In 
April 26, 1840, he was married to Mrs. Louisa J. Higgins of 
Montgomery. In January, 1841, he accepted an appointment 
under the American Baptist Home Missionary Society to come 
to Texas as a missionary. As this is the grand turning point in 
his life history we call special attention to a few great facts 
showing how God works by means and always blesses the 
efforts of His people. In 1837 Kev. Z. N". Morrell, a gand old 
Texas pioneer, organized a Baptist Church of eight members 
at Washington and preached every Sabbath, when at home, 
and held prayer meeting every Wednesday night. This little 
band seeing the vast destitution and iniquity abounding ap- 
pointed a committee to correspond with Missionary Boards in 
the older states setting forth the fearful destitution of Texas. 
This committee was composed of Deacons J. R. Cartmell and 
A. Bufiington of the First Baptist Church, of Nashville, Tenn., 
and Jas. R. Jenkins, of Georgia. The touching appeal of this 
committee, pointing out the facts, especially that there were 
thousands of young men in Texas, sons of praying mothers 
in the older states, going to ruin for want of faithful preachers 
of the gospel. This appeal touched powerfully many hearts 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 671 

and especially the great heart of Elder Jesse Mercer, of Geor- 
gia. He knew personally one of the committee, Jas. R. Jenk- 
ins, when a student of Mercer University, and as a son of his 
old friend Capt. Jenkins, in the Revolutionary war. The great 
soul of Jesse Mercer was so moved that after prayerful consid- 
eration he sent a check of $2,500 to the American Baptist 
Home Mission Society at New York (the Southern Baptist 
Convention was not organized till 1845) stating that he be- 
lieved Texas on account of her great fertility of soil, and cli- 
mate and location on the Gulf would become a section of 
unbounded wealth and great influence in America, and he 
believed we should prepare it to become a great Christian 
state. And learning there was a fearful religious destitution 
he deposited with their treasury $2,500 to be used in sending 
missionaries to Texas, and "when this is exhausted I will send 
$2,500 more." He also suggested Elder Wm. M. Tryon, a 
native of New York but educated in Mercer University and 
Elder Jas. Huckins, a native of New Hampshire and grad- 
uate of Brown University as peculiarly fitted to lay the founda- 
tion stone of the Baptist cause in Texas. 

Brother Mercer also wrote letters to Brethren Tryon and 
Huckins informing them of what he had done. The appoint- 
ment was gladly made by the Board in New York and Brother 
Tryon was located at Washington then the Capital of Texas. 
And Brother Huckins was located at Galveston the great com- 
mercial center of Texas. They both prayerfully and solemnly 
entered upon the great work assigned them. It is a remark- 
able answer to the prayers of Elder Jesse Mercer that his 
brother, Eli Mercer, a wealthy sugar planter at Egypt, on the 
Colorado river, and his noble wife rode sixty miles on horse- 
back to Independence the nearest Church, to get Brother 
Tryon to baptize them. And that the first persons ever bap- 
tized in the Gulf at Galveston were the daughter of Eli Mercer 
and her husband, Gail Borden, of "condensed milk fame." 
Brother Tryon became chaplain of the Texas Congress then 
in special session at "Washington. He also became pastor at 
Independence and organized Providence Church in Burleson 
county. He was everywhere received with great cordiality. 
He was warm-hearted, genial and very sociable. But he was 



672 The Life and Writings of 

so keen and penetrating and had such a profound knowledge 
of human nature he made few mistakes. He was eminently 
qualified always to seize upon the best time, the best place and 
the best way to do everything. He was a born orator, pro- 
foundly versed in the history of the world, especially of Bap- 
tists in all ages. He inherited from his distinguished relative 
of E"ew York, Governor Tryon, a rare talent of formulating 
plans and accomplishing grand results. While never guilty 
of wire-working and intriguing he was a born leader of men 
in all that was great and good. But always forgetful of self 
and only looking to the glory of God and the uplifting of men. 
At the meeting of the Union Association at Clear Creek in 
1841 he presented the importance of a Baptist Educational 
Society to prepare for a great Texas Baptist University. And 
in 1845 he and Judge Baylor and others were appointed by the 
Texas Baptist Educational Society to procure the Charter. 
Judge Baylor and others insisted as Brother Tryon was the 
original and prime mover in the enterprise it should be called 
Tryon University/ 7 but he ever forgetful of self insisted it 
should be called Baylor University. The charter was secured. 
Baylor University was located at Independence and opened 
regularly on the first Monday in September, 1847, with Rev. 
Henry L. Graves, of Georgia, President. But while the Bap- 
tist cause was moving forward grandly in the interior counties 
it was languishing sadly at Houston, Galveston and all the 
coast country. Therefore Brother T. J. Pilgrim, the founder 
of Texas Sunday schools, and other far-seeing Baptists, sug- 
gested that Brother Tryon should remove to Houston and 
awaken an interest in all that great and important portion of 
Texas. Brother Tryon received an appointment from the 
Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, located at Marion, 
Ala., as missionary to Houston. He entered on this great 
work July 25, 1845. But found the little church organized 
by Brother Huckins in 1841, had held no regular services for 
-years and was well nigh dead, but soon the wonderful talent 
-of Brother Tryon rallied the disspirited band and a hall for 
•preaching was secured and soon crowded to overflowing. 
Brother Tryon saw it was essential to have a house of worship 
and that it would be years before the little band of Baptists in 
Houston could build one. He therefore resolved to visit the 



Dk. Rufus C. Burleson. 673 

older states and raise the money to build the church and at the 
same time arouse the Baptists of the older states to the great 
and vital importance of sending missionaries to Texas. He 
succeeded grandly, and raised nearly $3,000 for the Baptist 
church at Houston and recruited what Brother Z. ISL Morrell 
calls a "boat load of Baptist preachers for Texas." His burn- 
ing appeals influenced seventeen missionaries to come to Texas. 
I never shall forget the powerful appeal he wrote to me while 
a student at the Theological Seminary in Covington, Ky., on 
learning that I was considering Texas as my field of labor for 
life. Eternity alone can unfold the good this visit of Brother 
Tryon did for Texas. 

Another grand work he did just before he died was to 
introduce a resolution into the Union Association for appoint- 
ing a committee to arrange the time and place for organizing 
the Baptist State Convention which grand work was consum- 
mated in the Baptist State Convention at Anderson, Septem- 
ber 8, 184S. The last grand act of his' ministerial life was re- 
storing peace and harmony to the beloved church in Houston. 
The little feeble band he found in Houston two years before 
had grown to be a flourishing church of about 100 members; 
all working gloriously and in perfect harmony, and his con- 
gregation was the largest in the city. But alas, Satan that 
entered into Paradise always devises some trick to sow dis- 
sension and discord among the enemies of his kingdom. And 
Satan got a fearful strife in that noble band of Christians 
about renting the pews and hiring an organist for the church. 
Bitter strife and recrimination rose so high the church con- 
ference broke up in shameful confusion, many of them vowing 
as they walked out they would never enter the church again. 
It now seems that the last grand work of his life was about 
to go down into utter ruin, but he spent the whole night in 
prayer and tears, and devised a plan that removed the difficulty 
so perfectly and united all hearts so gloriously that it was 
never referred to again. Indeed the reconciliation and the 
increase of brotherly love prepared the way for a glorious 
revival of religion that was going on when he was taken sick 
to die. Oh, that God would give Texas many such peace- 
makers as Brother Trvon. 



674 The Life and Writings of 

Just at this time the yellow fever was making its in- 
siduous appearance in Houston. One of the first victims of 
that fatal disease was the great and good statesman, Isaac Yan 
Zandt, then canvassing Texas for Governor with the certain 
prospect of election. He was a devoted Baptist and an ardent 
lover of Brother Tryon. Brother Tryon and the brilliant 
yonng doctor, S. 0. Young, who had just married Miss Jane 
Fuller, the belle of Houston, visited him daily. The last hours 
of the illustrious patriot were spent in prayer and sending 
messages of love to his wife and children, requesting that his 
remains should be removed and buried by the side of his 
little son, Isaac Yan Zandt, Jr., in Marshall. His beloved 
wife and children are now living in Fort Worth. After his 
burial Brother Tryon and Dr. Young both went to bed sick, 
but the next Sunday Brother Tryon preached his last sermon 
with the fever on him. He died November 16, 1847. He was 
buried by the dearly beloved church he had spent his last 
days in building. His death sent a thrill of sorrow through- 
out Texas and the United States. Oh, how mournfully mys- 
terious that one so eminently useful, should in the meridian 
of life and great usefulness, be removed. But the distinguished 
statesman, Isaac Yan Zandt,- the brillian doctor, S. O. Young, 
and the great preacher and foundation builder, Wm. M. Tyron, 
were all soon reunited in that land that is fairer than 
day, where sickness and death never come. I was on my way 
to Texas as missionary to Gonzales when I heard this dreadful 
news, at the same time I learned that Brother Richard Ellis 
had been appointed by the Colorado Association as missionary 
to Gonzales. In sadness and doubt I stopped at my father's 
to receive further instruction from the Board. In a few days 
and to my great amazement I received a letter from the noble 
Secretary of the Home Mission Board, Russell Holman, stat- 
ing by a special request of the Church in Houston I had been 
appointed to succeed Brother Tryon as pastor. I was appalled 
at the very thought of succeeding so great and so illustrious 
a man. I wrote to the Board that I was too young and too 
inexperienced to occupy so great a position, and begged them 
to assign me to some humbler field of labor in Texas and to 
appoint a more experienced preacher to succeed the great and 
illustrious Tryon. The Secretary replied immediately that 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 



67; 



the Church at Houston, some of the prominent members of 
which knew me well had renewed their request to appoint 
me as missionary pastor at Houston. With much fear and 
trembling I accepted the arduous position. An incident oc- 
curred on the steamship from Xew Orleans to G-alveston that 
still increased my fears, a very prominent Texan was on the 
same boat and he approached me in amazement saying, ''Is it 
possible that you are the young man that the Board has ap- 
pointed to fill the place of the great and good ¥m. M. Tryon ?" 
I answered, "E"o, sir, I nor no living man can fill Brother 
Tryon's place, but I will stand where he stood and by the 
grace of God preach the same glorious* doctrine he preached 
and leave the results with God." 



KEY. JAS. HUCKINS. 




JAMES HUCKINS. 

Rev. James Huckins was one of the Old Guard. 
Rev. Jesse Mercer, that far-seeing and eminent man of 
God, suggested him as the associate of Rev. ¥m. 
M. Tryon, as the two pioneer missionaries to the Republic of 
Texas. They came as before stated, in 1840. Rev. Wm. M. 
Tryon settled at "Washington, the center of political power 
and the capital of the Republic. Brother Huckins located at 



676 The Life and Writings of 

Galveston, the chief commercial center, with instructions to 
preach at Houston also then just growing into prominence. 
Brother Huckins was eminently fitted for his work. He was 
born in ]^"ew Hampshire, April, 1807. He was left a homeless 
orphan when four or five years old. He was converted and bap- 
tized at fourteen years of age. He was aided by the New Eng- 
land Baptist Educational Society, and was educated at Brown 
University under Dr. Francis Wayland, about 1835 or 1836. 
Dr. "Wayland was then in the zenith of his intellectual power 
and influence as a great teacher and president. 

"No student ever received the mental and moral impress 
of that prince of educators more deeply than did young Huck- 
ins. A strong, affectionate and intimate correspondence con- 
tinued between them until the death of Brother Huckins in 
1863. After Brother Huckins graduated at Brown University 
he married a lady of great intellect and high social standing 
in Rochester, ISTew York. Soon after he sought a wider field of 
usefulness in the more genial clime of Georgia. Here he be- 
came intimately connected with Jesse Mercer, Billington 
Sanders, Shelton Sanford and also his future yoke fellow in 
the Texas Mission, Rev. Wm. M. Tryon. Here he saw the 
burning appeal of the committee appointed in a consultation 
meeting of Rev. Z. E". Morrell and the few scattered Baptists 
found in and around Washington, Texas, in 1839, to solicit 
from the older states aid, and also preachers for the State of 
Texas. The committee was composed of James R. Jenkins 
(my father-in-law), A. Burlington and H. R. Cartmell. That 
appeal stirred the great heart of Jesse Mercer. It not only 
stirred the heart and purse of Mercer, but the noble 
missionary zeal of James Huckins and Wm. M. Tryon, and 
each of them was ready to say, "Here am I, send me." They 
were both appointed on the basis of $2,500, given by Jesse 
Mercer for the Texas Mission and the pledge to donate more 
when needed. Brother Huckins commenced his duties at Gal- 
veston in 1840, when 33 years old and in the intellectual 
power of his manhood. Galveston, though only a village 
of 2,500 or 3,000 inhabitants, was eminent for culture and 
talent. Brother Huckins at once became a. leader and star of 
the first magnitude. As a preacher he stood confessedly at the 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 677 

head. He organized a little church at Galveston, composed 
then and soon after of snch gifted and noble women as Mrs. 
John S. Sydnor, Mrs. Gov. Hal. G. Runnells, Mrs. Howard, 
Dr. Davis and wife, and Mrs. Laura H. Jack and others. 
Brother Huckins always wrote out with great care, and read 
his sermons, an unfortunate habit never accepted in the South. 
Yet he was the most popular preacher in Galveston. 

The first persons ever baptized in Galveston were Mr. 
Gail Borden, of "condensed milk" fame, and his wife, who was 
a daughter of Eli, brother of Jesse Mercer, by whose influence 
and money the two great missionaries were sent to Texas. Mr. 
and Mrs. Borden were baptized in the Gulf of Mexico, one 
beautiful Sabbath evening just at sunset. The whole city 
turned out to see a sight so novel, so beautiful and so grand. 
The waves of the Gulf for the first time were troubled by this 
beautiful ordinance and emblem of the Redeemer's burial 
and resurrection. The waters had often been troubled by the 
dashing ships and roaring cannons of the great pirate, Lafitte, 
and his fellow pirates, who made Galveston their home after 
they were expelled from Barataria in 1814, till their final dis- 
persion * by United States Officer, Lieutenant Kearney, in 
1821. Brother Huckins also organized a little church at 
Houston, composed of such noble ladies as Mrs. Piety L. 
Hadley, Mrs. De Cordova, Mr. and Mrs. James House. 
He preached alternately in the two cities with great power and 
acceptance to all classes. But alas on September 6, 1841, the 
great originator of Texas Missions died, and there was no man 
rich enough and farseeing enough to take his place, and the 
mission, so well begun, was left to struggle alone. Brother 
Tryon had married a wealthy Alabama lady, and lived chiefly 
by. the support of his farm from 1841 to 1845. Brother 
Huckins was forced into the schoolroom at Galveston, and to 
trading in town lots to support his family, and being a born 
financier, he accumulated at least $40,000 worth of property 
by 1855. As a teacher he was eminently successful. By his 
many influences the Galveston Lyceum was chartered and 
became a means of vast power and influence. The Lyceum be- 
came the grand center of attraction and eclipsed the useless, 
silly parade and show of the ballroom and theater. I found, 



6 78 The Life and Writings of 

during the four weeks 7 protracted meeting I conducted in 
Galveston, in 1848, more literary, cultivated and refined 
young ladies and gentlemen than I ever found in any place 
of its size. It was the influence of that Lyceum and its' lite- 
rary and refined associations that aided and inspired and guided 
to eminence such noble men and women as Mr. ¥m. P. Ball- 
enger and lady, Kobt H. Howard, Dr. Truhart, Mr. Khodes, 
Mrs. George Morris, Mrs. Sallie Jones Anderson, Mrs. Dr. 
Lipscombe and Charley W. Stewart, our present congressman, 
then the son of an intelligent carpenter in Galveston. Oh ! 
that we had such a Lyceum in every town in Texas to counter- 
act the degrading tendencies of the ballroom, theater and 
doggery. 

While Brother Huckins was delighted with teaching and 
the refining influence of the Lyceum and in making money, 
yet he pined for holy consecration to the preaching of the 
gospel. And as soon as the Southern Baptist Convention was 
organized at Augusta, Georgia, in 1845 and the old spirit of 
Mercer was revived, he gladly accepted an appointment as a 
missionary to Galveston. He soon gathered around him a 
congregation eminent for refinement and intelligence. By 
the aid of some liberal friends in Georgia, South Carolina, 
Virginia, and the church and people of Galveston, a neat 
church was erected and dedicated in 1847. The great and 
lamented Kev. I. T. Hinton, pastor of the First Baptist 
Church in ISTew Orleans, was to have preached the dedication 
sermon, but, alas ! yellow fever struck him down just a week 
before the dedication, and the dedication sermon was preached 
by the lamented Tryon, who was so soon to be smitten down 
by the same dreadful disease. 

As soon as the $4,000 house was completed and dedicated, 
there arose that mournful, restless craving, that has crushed 
many churches, to have a new preacher to go into the new 
church. This resulted in his resignation of the pastorship and 
well nigh the ruin of the church. Brother Huckins at once 
(February, 1848), entered upon a wider, grander, field of use- 
fulness as agent of the infant university at Independence. - 

As the ardent advocate of education, Brother Huckins, 
had aided in organizing at Clear Creek, Fayette county, in 



De. Rufits C. Bueleson. 679 

1842, the "Texas Baptist Educational Society." The first 
officers were: Rev. R. E. B. Baylor, President; Stephen Pearl 
Andrews, Recording Secretary; Wm. M. Try on, Correspond- 
ing Secretary; John Collins, Treasurer; Board of Managers, 
James Huckins, Z. N. Morreli, J. L. Farquhar, Grail Borden, 
Stephen Williams, W. H. Ewing, and J. S. Lester. This 
society is still flourishing with Rev. Dr. G. W. Rogers, Presi- 
dent; Dr. Reddin Andrews, Corresponding Secretary. This 
society, then representing 1,400 Baptists, secured the charter 
and inaugurated Baylor University in 1845-46 at Indepen- 
dence with one teacher, Prof. Henry F. Gilbert, and seventeen 
students. The University (Universitas in ovuo, as Mr. Jef- 
ferson says) opened in an old two-story frame building 33x55 
feet, which had been bought at a sheriff's sale, by A. G. 
Haynes and E. W. Taylor and by them donated to said Uni- 
versity. It was of course a co-educational school as there 
was but one teacher and seventeen students. But our hero 
brethren intended grand buildings and endowment aud library. 
To attain these great ends Rev. James Huckins was appointed 
General Agent to raise money when as yet there were not in 
all Texas but four Baptist houses of worship and only 1,400 
Baptists. 

Never was there a grander work nor a more suitable 
agent. There were no bridges and but few ferries. He had 
to swim most of the streams. Robertson and Burleson coun- 
ties were on the Indian frontier and Gonzales on the Mexican 
border. The neighborhoods were sparsely settled and widely 
scattered, and money so scarce that trading was carried on in 
cows, calves, rawhides, mustangs and wild land. I have pre- 
served for future generations an old subscription paper : "For 
the use and benefit of Baylor University." The only cash do- 
nation was $200 by Gen. Morgan L. Smith, who recently died 
at Newark, New Jersey, but was then a merchant and sugar 
planter at Brazoria. But the learned and indomitable agent 
soon visited on horseback every town and neighborhood in 
Texas. He raised but little money, but got many liberal con- 
tributions in wild land, mustangs, cows, calves and beeves. 
But he fired all Texas with a noble enthusiasm for a Great 
Texas Baptist University. 



680 The Life and Writings of 

He disseminated information all over Texas which is still 
bearing precious f rnit. 

Brother Huckins finding it impossible to raise money 
sufficient to put up the much needed building and purchase an 
apparatus and library, resolved to go to the old states. He 
traversed on horseback the States of Louisiana, Mississippi and 
Alabama. The learned and enthusiastic agent by his genia- 
lity, his wonderful knowledge of human nature and wild 
western life excited interest, good will and attention, but 
found it well nigh impossible to inspire confidence in a Texas 
University. He received abundance of good wishes and $1,200 
real cash. He also procured in New York, Philadelphia and 
Boston, the nucleus of a good library and chemical and 
philosophical and astronomical apparatus. 

On this agency he visited Charleston, and aided the great 
Dr. Richard Fuller in a protracted meeting of six weeks — the 
church paying his salary and making him a valuable donation 
for the University. 

He also visited his old Alma Mater, Brown University. 
His beloved president, Dr. "Wayland, gave him a joyful wel- 
come and a liberal donation for his work, though Brown Uni- 
versity was then struggling for existence. 

After five years arduous struggles as agent, having 
secured the erection of the first building now called Graves 
Hall, a library and apparatus and $30,000 in notes for the 
endowment, he accepted a call of the Galveston church and 
returned to his pastoral work in that beautiful city. 

There he remained till 1859, when his Charleston friends 
were looking out for a successor to their great and good pastor, 
Dr. Fuller, who had become pastor at Baltimore, their hearts 
were all turned to the great Texan who had labored so success- 
fully in the great revival in 1850. He accepted, and after 
nineteen years of unceasing toil extending from 1840 to 1859, 
he bade Texas farewell. No man ever left Galveston more 
regretted by all classes. The citizens, without regard to 
class, oondition or religion, presented him with a silver service 
of rare beauty and great cost as a slight token of their esteem. 
Four years he toiled successfully as pastor, universally beloved 
by all classes. When he saw the first fatal gun fired on Fort 



Dr. Ruetts C. Burleson. 



681 



Sumpter, lie knew it was the death knell of slavery and South- 
ern equality in the government. 

But like a good and great man and devoted Christian, 
he trusted in God, and pressed on in his duties as pastor and 
chaplain. He visited the sick and wounded soldiers. He 
watched and wept and prayed for all. Till overwhelmed with 
toils and cares and sorrows, he fell prostrated on the streets 
in Charleston. He was carried to a house near by and thence 
borne to his own home where he died August 14th, 1863. 
Thus lived and thus died Rev. James Huckins, one of the 
greatest workers, and one of the greatest financiers of the Old 
Guard. 



Z. K MORRELL. 




Z. N. MORRELL. 

»■ 

Elder Z. IN". Morrell was the third Baptist preacher that 
ever preached in Texas. He began his ministry in 1835, and 
ended it in glory December 19, 1883, aged 81 years, lacking 
28 days. He was par excellence one of the Old Guard. 

Elder Joseph Bays preached the first sermon in Texas 
at the house of Moses Shipman, in 1825. Elder Thomas 
Hanks, the second preacher, preached his first sermon in the 
same house in 1828. Under this sermon that noble mother in 
Israel, Sister James Allcorn, was joyfully converted. 



.682 The Life and Writings of 

•i . Bro. Morrell, the third preacher, preached his first ser- 
mon on Little River, December 30, 1835. He is so widely 
and so well known by his inimitable book, "Flowers and 
Fruits, or Forty-six Years in Texas and Yucatan," that I will 
give only a condensed view of his long active and remarkable 
Career. 

His book, written in a plain, unpretending style, demon- 
strates fully that "Truth is mightier than fiction." His un- 
varnished story of the chivalrous daring exalted patriotism and 
Christian heroism of our fathers shows clearly that Texas has 
:all the materials for a poem grander than Homer's Iliad or 
Virgil's ^Eneid. I repeat, let every Texas patriot, especially 
every Texas Baptist, read and study a book that is second in 
power only to Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, written by an- 
other Baptist preacher, in Bedford jail. 

The 14 years he preached in Tennessee was at the time 
when the very foundations of our Zion were shaken and 
our Baptist Churches and Associations were torn asunder by 
the exciting questions of foreign missions, an educated and 
paid ministry, temperance and Sunday schools. In the dis- 
cussions and fierce conflicts about these great questions, Bro. 
Morrell was not like "dumb cattle driven," he was "a hero in 
the strife." 

None but a philosophic historian can ever understand the 
grand underlying principles and the divine mission and heroic 
struggles of Baptists for long centuries that produced these 
fierce discussions and sad divisions among our brethren in 1835 
to 1845. 

I never survey calmly all these things without dropping 
a tear of sorrow and sympathy for our anti-missionary breth- 
ren, and without a glow of admiration for our Mercers, 
Daniels, Furmans, Manly 's, Lelands, and Morrels, who pro- 
claimed and defended the truth of God on these great ques- 
tions. , 

For 1,500 years Baptists had resisted unto death the 

innovation of sprinkling, infant baptism, episcopacy, popery 

-and every other innovation. It was just as natural for a 

Baptist to hate innovation as it is for the Devil to love holy 

water, which he invented. And to the thousands of our un- 



Dr. Eufus C. Burleson. 683 

educated brethren, missions, Sunday schools, etc., seemed 
hated innovations to be resisted unto death. 

For 200 years Baptist had contended against Cath- 
olics, Lutherans, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, and even Puri- 
tan Fathers, that genuine piety and a divine call to the min- 
istry, and not education, were essential to a preacher. The 
Baptists contended against the whole religious world that 
grace, and not gifts; that piety, not education, made a 
preacher. The true Baptist doctrine ever was that education 
is a valuable aid, but not a substitute for piety. But in the 
bitterness of the conflict the extremists, and the illiterate dis- 
paraged all education, claiming ''knowledge only puffed up," 
and was to be avoided. 

For 500 years preachers, so-called, were the laziest 
and best paid professional men in the world. 

In the old world, many Catholic and Protestant preachers 
received from $10,000 to $100,000 in salary, and spent their 
time in feasting and fox hunting. 

Even in Massachusetts and Virginia Puritan and Epis- 
copal preachers, rolling in luxury, ground the poor to the 
earth in tithes and tobacco tax. To-day Spurgeon and every 
Baptist in England is taxed to pay Episcopal preachers. 

The Lord used the Baptists as his battle-axe, or rather as 
"a scourge of small cords to drive this accursed gospel of mer- 
chandise and these Scribes and Pharisees from his holy 
temple." 

These hirelings in Massachusetts and West Virginia said : 
"If that old Baptist devil, John Leland, or Isaac Bachus, Sam 
Harris or Elias Craig should preach here once, he would put 
the old devil into our people so big they would not pay our 
salaries for ten years, and our families will have to live like 
other poor people." 

I repeat it, let it never be forgotten that it was the dis- 
cussion of these points that gave our fathers a dread for the 
corrupting power of filthy lucre in the church and caused them 
to look with such jealousy on big salaries for preachers and 
education. 

Baptists in all ages and in all countries have been 
the boldest champions of soul liberty, of true personal liberty. 



684 The Life and Writings of 

And who can doubt that the "personal liberty dodge" en- 
tangled and bewildered the intellects of plain Baptists and 
arrayed them against temperance societies? Especially when 
we see how this "personal liberty dodge" bewildered the brain 
of our noble Senator Coke and Congresman Mills, whose 
father was a Hardshell Baptist. What Baptist can calmly 
review all these grand historic facts without praising God for 
giving us a Wayland, a Cone, a Mercer, a Fuller and a Mor- 
rell to discern, enhance and defend the glorious cause of mis- 
sions, temperance and Sabbath schools, and at the same time 
drop a tear for our anti-missionary brethren, who, acting from 
noble but misguided Baptist impulses, were entangled into the 
meshes of anti-missions, anti-temperance and anti-education 
and anti-Sunday schools. 

Instead of sneering at them as Hardshells, mossbacks and 
iron-jackets, let us pray for them as Bro. Morrell did, that 
the whole Baptist family may be reunited and stand as ons 
body, as they have for 1800 years. 

But by 14 years of incessant labor, often averaging one 
sermon a day for a whole year, Bro. Morrell grew mighty in 
the Scriptures, but his outer man was perishing. By almost 
daily preaching to vast multitudes, often in the open air, he 
commenced bleeding at the lungs. His physicians and loving 
friends knew that nothing but rest and a warm climate would 
save his life. He started out to explore Texas with five Ten- 
nessee friends, two lawyers, Chester and Hays, two deacons, 
Hunt and Moore, and one doctor, Butler. They crossed the 
Sabine river at Fort Gaines, September 21, 1835, just twelve 
days after Gen. Cos and the whole Mexican army surrendered 
to Gen. Burleson at San Antonio. 

On the 30th day of September he preached his first ser- 
mon in Texas, at the house of Mr. Childress, an old Tennes- 
see friend, on Little river. 

Having selectedthe Falls of the Brazos seven miles south- 
west from where Marlin now stands, he hurried back to bring 
his wife and nine children to Texas. He passed through 
[Nacogdoches on Sunday, January 6, 1836. God's holy Sab- 
bath, as in all Catholic countries, was a day of desecration. 
A political election was held that Sunday. The town was full 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 685 

of Indians, Mexicans and Texans. His great soul, like Paul's 
at Athens, was stirred within him and getting down and hitch- 
ing his mule and standing on a pile of hewed logs lying near 
the public square, all crowded with the surging masses, and 
holding up his watch, he cried : "Oh, yes ! Oh, yes ! Every- 
body who wants to buy without money and without price, let 
him come here !" While singing that grand old battle song, 
"Am I a soldier of the Cross," a vast crowd, of all sizes and 
ages and colors crowded around him. After prayer and singing 
two verses of the song, 

"Tis religion that can give 
Sweetest pleasure while we live." 

he preached from that grand old text, "The wilderness shall 
blossom as the rose." Isa. xxxv, 1. While preaching a re- 
markable coincidence occurred. The preacher unexpectedly 
saw his dear old brother, Wm. Whitaker, with his family 
drive up in their wagons. What must have been the joy of 
preacher and deacon and their families ! 

On returning to Texas with his family, April 6, 1836, 
he found the road from Nacogdoches to San Augustine all 
crowded with people fleeing from Santa Anna, who on the 6th 
of March had butchered Travis, Bonham, Bowie and Crockett, 
and was swooping down on Texas like a vulture on his prey. 

He was everywhere urged to turn back, he was even de- 
nounced as a fool but still, with the heroic spirit of Paul he 
could say: "None of these things move me." 

The young beaver, reared in a barn, that never saw a 
stream, will build carefully a dam across his barn floor, so 
"there is a destiny that shapes our ends rough hew them as 
we will." The same destiny guided our heroic brother. Be- 
fore he reached the Neches brave men on fleet horses came 
shouting, "Victory, victory, Houston and his immortal 783 
have routed and captured Santa Anna and the whole Mexican 
army of 2400 men." 

The fleeing wives and children were invited to return 
home, but the cowardly men who fled from the field of danger 
and glory were told that Texas would be unhealthy for them. 
In November, 1836, Bro. Morrell, with his wife and four 
children reached their forest home at the Falls of the Brazos. 



686 The Life and Writings of 

Finding six or eight families and a number of soldiers he 
preached on the first Sunday and this began forty-six years of 
toil for the glory of his Redeemer in Texas. 

He preached the first sermon ever preached in the town 
of Washington, January 3d, 1837. 

He preached the first sermon in the city of Houston, 
March, 1837. While absent on a tour of preaching and secur- 
ing supplies of provisions and powder and lead, the Indians in 
June, 1837, destroyed the little settlement at the Falls, burned 
up his house, with all his furniture — his wife and four child- 
ren marvelously escaping to Nashville, 45 miles lower down 
on the Brazos. Washington having been fixed upon as the 
temporary capital of the Republic of Texas, he located there. 
Having no other means of support and having a small capital 
of $2000, the price of lands sold in Mississippi, he bought a 
small stock of goods in New Orleans and went to merchan- 
dising. He employed as his clerk an energetic, reliable young 
man, Peter J. Willis, who has become one of the merchant 
princes of Galveston. While the faithful young clerk looked 
after the store, the great pioneer preacher visited all the scat- 
tering Baptists for a hundred miles around and preached in 
all the little settlements without money and price. But like 
all great foundation builders he knew nothing could be done 
without organization. 

Finding H. R. Cartmell and A. Burlington, of Nashville, 
Tennessee, Jas. R. Jenkins of Georgia, Noah T. Byars, Rich- 
ard Ellis and a few other scattered Baptists he first organized 
a prayer meeting, and there in 1837 the first Baptist church 
ever organized west of the Brazos, except a Primitive Baptist 
church in Burleson settlement near Bastrop, of which Abner 
Smith, father of Elder G. C. Smith, was pastor. This little 
band at Washington, appointed, as we have seen a committee 
of Jas. R. Jenkins, H. R. Cartmell and A. Buffington to pub- 
lish an appeal for and to the Baptists of all the older states, to 
help evangelize the infant Republic of Texas. That appeal, 
as we have seen, stirred the great heart and great purse of 
Jesse Mercer and also the heroic missionary zeal of Wm. M. 
Tryon and James Huckins. 

Eternity alone can ever unfold the mighty influence of 
that little organization and the appeal of that committee. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 687 

That little church was soon strengthened by the presence, 
ardent piety and queenly address of the bride of the president 
of the Republic, Mrs. Maggie Lee Houston, for whom our 
Maggie Houston hall is named. But Brother Morrell like 
Paul, having preached Jesus in all the regions on the Brazos 
and Trinity, his soul yearned for "the regions beyond" the 
Colorado. 

He explored the country as far as Corpus Christi, preach- 
ing as he went. Finding two or three Mexican families and 
about as many Irish at Goliad, he assembled them in the old 
deserted Catholic mission house and preached them Jesus on 
the very spot where Fannin and his 357 heroes were massacred 
as prisoners of war on Sunday, March 27, 1836. To be nearer 
the center of his new parish, he finally settled at Gonzales. 
In order to reach his appointments he had often to ride 50 
miles at night to avoid the Indians. But in the midst of all 
these exciting and rough surroundings, his soul longed for 
something higher and he took his two sons and little daughter, 
mounted on horseback to Middleton, Mississippi, and put them 
in Middleton college, under the presidency of that grand Bap- 
tist champion, Rev. S. S. Lattimore. "While engaged in this 
vast missionary work at his own charge the dark days of 1841- 
2-3, spread like a pall of midnight gloom over all Texas. The 
gallant, noble and poetic President, Gen. Mirabeau B. Lamar, 
sank under the mighty load retired from his office with a 
crushed' spirit and ruined health, and left the Vice-President 
to finish his term of office. The killing of the Indian chiefs 
at San Antonio and the intrigues of Cordova and other Mexi- 
can agents had infuriated the Indians and their camp fires 
blazed along 750 miles of our bleeding frontier, 8,000,000 
of enraged Mexicans were threatening to exterminate the Tex- 
ans and re-establish Mexican authority to their ancient bound- 
ary, the Sabine River. In September, 1842, the Mexican Gen. 
Woll, with 1300 cavalrymen, rushed into San Antonio sur- 
rounded the "court house, captured Judge Hutchinson, the 
lawyers, the sheriff, the clerk with all his documents, the 
criminals and all the witnesses while trying an exciting case. 
The capture was so complete that when they retreated to the 
Hondo a waggish lawyer proposed to the judge to order the 
sheriff to call the court and "proceed with the case." Judge 



688 The Life and Writings of 

Hutchinson with the prospect of a long imprisonment in the 
Mexican dungeon parote, was in no funny mood and decided 
that the case must lie over till the next regular term of court. 
Brother Morrell was one of the "minute men" always ready 
to rush to the front. He had gone out with the gallant Cald- 
well with 202 men to repel Woll and his marauders. While 
securely concealed in a ravine and successfully repelling with 
death dealing rifles Woll's whole force, now increased to 
1,600 men, they saw the gallant Capt. Dawson with fifty-two 
brave recruits from LaGrange coming across the boundless 
prairie. That little heroic band was intercepted by the Mexi- 
can cavalry and surrounded by overwhelming numbers. 
Brother Morrell knew that his darling son was among Daw- 
son's men. Oh what a scene for a loving father and his brave 
-compeers to lie in that ditch utterly helpless and behold his 
son and the little heroic band fired upon by 1,600 Mexicans. 
Dawson and thirty-five of his men lay dead on the field, two 
escaped, fifteen were disarmed and captured. On the retreat 
of Gen. Woll, Brother Morrell and other fathers in Caldwell's 
command hurried forth to hunt among the mangled corpses 
for their sons. Brother Morrell saw the brave sons of his 
brethren and neighbors weltering in their blood but found his 
son not dead but doomed to the galling bondage of a Mexican 
prison. After chasing the cowardly Woll out of Texas, he re- 
turned to his home to tell the weeping mother and sister of 
the fate of the son and brother. 

In all these dark days Brother Morrell was a hero, 
whether preaching to the gamblers at Springfield, or quelling 
with his hickory stick a mob at Washington, or as Chaplain of 
Congress, or aiding Tryon and Huckins in forming the Texas 
Baptist Education Society at Clear Creek, and founding Bay- 
lor University or organizing the Baptist State Convention at 
Anderson. He was a born leader, brave as Caesar in battle, 
simple as a child and devout as a martyr in religion, a Cato in 
firmness he was fitly called "The grand old Roman.' 7 His 
faults, like the black spots on the sun, were unseen in the 
brightness of his shining excellences. But a brighter day 
dawned. The hero of San Jacinto was re-elected President. 
The magic of his name conciliated the infuriated Bed Men. 
The Mexicans were chased back. The darling boy, Allen, 



Dr. Rufus C. Burlesox. 



689 



returns home from his worse than Egyptian bondage. The 
great YanZandt and others secure the annexation- of Texas. 
The Southern Baptist Convention is organized — the old Texas 
mission spirit of Mercer is revived and to use Brother Morrell's 
expressive words, "A whole boat load of preachers arrives." 
Texas is full of preachers and still his great soul is panting 
"for the regions beyond" and there being no more destitution 
in these parts he spends two years in the destitute regions of 
Yucatan. But with the noble instinct of all noble animals 
even, he wants to come home to die. But still there is a grand 
work to do. He is urged to put on record his recollections 
of his forty-six years of frontier life. His modesty is shocked. 
But encouraged by the entreaties of friends and aided by his 
son in the gospel, Rev. Martin V. Smith, ''His flowers bloom 
and His fruits ripen" to the perpetual glory of Texas. In his 
dying hour he said in exultant tones to Martin V. Smith, "I 
will soon be safe at home." Oh when shall we look upon his 
like again ? 

R. E. B. BAYLOR. 




Hon. and 
"Old Guard." 

44 



R. E. B. BAYLOR 

Rev. R. E. B. 
And his name 



Baylor is one of the 
will never be forgotten 



690 The Life and Writings of 

by Texas Baptists. Five hundred years hence the 
name of Baylor will shine as resplendently as the names of 
Harvard, Yale and Brown in America, or Oxford or Cam- 
bridge in England. For a third of a century — from 1839 to 
1873 — he acted a noble part and bore an unsullied name in 
Texas. He was a leader, not only as an eminent statesman 
and jurist, but as an eloquent preacher and a liberal donor to 
every good work of charity. His name was synonymous with 
purity, child-like simplicity, charity, piety and patriotism. He 
was a grand pathfinder and foundation builder. His name is 
engraven on the foundation stone of the greatness of Texas and 
Texas Baptists, and there it will remain while the stars shine 
or the waves of the gulf dash on our shore. As a grand model 
for imitation, every Texan, and especially every Baptist and 
every student of Baylor University, should study profoundly 
his heroic life. 

Our illustrious brother was born in Bourbon county, Ky., 
May 10, 1791. He was of an illustrious family. His father, 
Robert Baylor, was a colonel in the Revolutionary army, and 
one of the aides of the great Washington, as was also his 
uncle, George Baylor. And the private papers of the "Father 
of his Country," as published some years ago by order of Con- 
gress, showed how often and on what important and delicate 
duties Washington sent Colonel Robert Baylor. Brother 
Baylor's maternal grandfather, Bledsoe, was one of the three 
Baptist preachers imprisoned in Virginia for preaching Bap- 
tist doctrine, and afterwards so ably defended by the great 
Patrick Henry. He was a cousin of Robert Baylor Sample, the 
first president and with Luther Rice, chief founder of Colum- 
bia University, Washington City. He was a cousin of Rev. and 
Hon. Thomas Chilton and Hon. W. P. Chilton and Mrs. 
George Denton, of Honey Grove, known and beloved all over 
North Texas as "Aunt Sallie Denton." Brother Baylor re- 
ceived the foundation- of a solid English education at a country 
school and at a flourishing academy at Paris, Ky. By reading 
and intense study he became eminent as a Belles Lettres 
scholar and critic. He studied law under his uncle, Mr. Bled- 
soe, a celebrated lawyer of Kentucky, and a relative of Judge 
Bledsoe, of Sherman, Texas. He entered public life when 
the unrivaled eloquence of Henry Clay was at its zenith, and 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 691 

fired all aspiring young men to be orators. He was elected to 
the legislature of Kentucky when he was 23 years old, and 
notwithstanding his youth; his commanding person — 6 feet 
2-J inches tall — and his burning eloquence won for him dis- 
tinction. Like most young men of his day, he had been car-, 
ried away by the shallow sophistry of Voltaire and the coarse 
ribaldry of Tom Paine. But while in the legislature, by 
God's providence, he heard the real "forest-born Demos- 
thenes," Rev. Jeremiah Vardeman. Elder Vardeman was in 
the pulpit what Clay was at the bar or in the Senate. The 
young lawyer and skeptic was amazed to see a plain, unedu- 
cated Baptist preacher eclipse the learning of such preachers 
as Dr. Holly, president of Transylvania University, and Dr. 
Blackburn, and others. He was still more amazed to find that 
the preacher's irresistible eloquence was all learned from the 
sublimity of Bible themes and Bible quotations. After the 
adjournment of the legislature, the eloquent young lawyer fol- 
lowed the prince of pulpit orators into the country and sat 
under his preaching two weeks, and noted down and com- 
mitted to memory his sublime quotations from the Bible. He 
did this "to educate his soul to sublimity," as Isadorus com- 
manded all students in oratory to do. It was the study of these 
sublime passages from Daniel, Isaiah, Habakkuk and Paul 
that finally led young Baylor to see the silly weakness of 
skepticism, and that the Bible is not only, as Lord Bryon truly 
said, "the Book of God, but the god of books." He removed 
to Alabama and settled at Cataba in 1833. 

He immediately rose to distinction, and was elected to 
congress from the Tuscaloosa district for two terms. But the 
political atmosphere was repugnant to his pure heart and re- 
fined tastes. In 1839 his beloved cousin, Thomas Chilton, 
held a protracted meeting at Talladega during court week. 
The eloquent lawyer and congressman, Baylor, was led* to see 
he was a lost sinner, and the only hope of salvation was faith 
in the atoning blood of Jesus. He laid all his learning, elo- 
quence and fame down at the feet of Jesus, and accepted him 
as his all-sufficient Savior and Lord and Master. He was bap- 
tized, and, like Saul of Tarsus, he straightway preached Jesus 
with a power that moved whole multitudes. He was at once 
licensed to preach that precious gospel which in his infidel 



'692 The Life and Writings of 

blindness he had reviled. He was just on the eve of removing 
.to La Grange, Texas, where he was joyfully received by Elder 
Z. UST. Morrell, Wm. Scallorn, J. S. Lester and the few scatter- 
ing Baptists. In the poor and unsettled condition of the coun- 
try he did what nearly all the great lawyers of the South have 
■done — taugh school — as a stepping stone to greatness. 

He also shouldered his gun and bore his part as a private 
in repelling the Indian and Mexican invaders in 1841-2-3. 
He and Z. JN". Morrell and T. W. Cox, all Baptist preachers, 
fought under Gen. Burleson at the battle of Plum Creek, 
where they crushed at one blow the Indian powers that had 
sacked and burned Linnville and pillaged all the surrounding 
country, and recaptured the plunder and Mrs. Watts and so 
many children of murdered families, whom the savage mon- 
sters were carrying away to be redeemed by sorrowing friends. 

He was elected to Congress in 1842-3. He was also a 
-member of the Annexation Convention in 1845, and, in con- 
nection with Isaac Van Zandt, A. C. Horton, R. M. William- 
son and other old Texans, formed the first State Constitution, 
which Senator Coke and others regard as the wisest and best 
Constitution Texas ever saw. He was Circuit Judge of Wash- 
ington, Fayette, Burleson, Milam and McLennan Counties for 
twenty years. !No more just and impartial Judge ever sat on 
the bench. He would hold court all the week, and preach on 
Sunday, and sometimes every night in the week, and thus led 
scores to trust in Jesus. While holding court at Washington 
he held a great revival, and baptized thirty-six converts in the 
Brazos river one beautiful moonlight night. 

What more beautiful scene did the moon ever look upon 
-than that of an ex-Congressman and eminent Judge baptizing 
the young, the beautiful and the great in the "Brazos de 
Deos," which means the "Arms of God.' ' While holding the 
first court ever held in Waco he preached the first sermon ever 
preached in Waco, in the hotel of Capt. S. P. Ross, father of 
the present distinguished Governor of Texas. ~No tongue, 
pen or pencil can ever tell his influence for good in his two- 
fold duties as a Circuit Judge and eloquent preacher. He 
often preached the gospel of mercy from the same stand at 
night and on Sunday where he had dispensed law and justice 
-during the week of court. His preaching was not dead 



Dr. Rtjfus C. Burleson. 693- 

formalism, but with tears and burning eloquence from bis 
heart. Good, old-fashioned, experimental Baptist religion 
was the burden of his preaching. I first heard him at the 
formation of the "Baptist State Convention" at Anderson, 
September 8th, 1848, which had been called by a resolution o'f 
Rev. Wm. M. Tryon, in the Union Association at Houston,, 
just before he died of yellow fever, November 16, 1847. 
Hon. A. C. Horton, Hon. J. S. Lester, Eli Mercer, Gail Borden 
and all the ''Old Guard" were there. Gen. Sam Houston, 
though he was not then a Baptist, was there to do honor to that 
mighty array of talent, representing 1,900 Baptists of Texas. 
Judge Baylor stood there as a grand Titan among Titans, not 
of brute force, but of moral heroism. Z. !N\ Morrell preached 
the introductory sermon from the text, "Of the increase of His 
government and peace there shall be no end." Isaiah 9 :7. 
Brother Baylor was elected President by acclamation, but he 
arose with tears of gratitude and thanked the brethren for their 
confidence, but added: "I am compelled to be at Spring- 
field, sixty miles away, to open court Monday at 11 o'clock, 
and must leave by 1 o'clock on Sunday and ride till midnight 
to meet my official engagement. He preached at 11 o'clock on 
Sunday a sermon of wonderful power and pathos, that moved 
and melted the vast multitude. He mounted his horse after 
dinner and rode thirty miles that night. He rose at 4 o'clock 
Monday morning, and at 11 o'clock was ready to open court 
at Springfield, sixty miles from the convention at Anderson. 
This one instance illustrates the zeal and drive and soul of IL 
E. B. Baylor and the "Old Guard" of 1848— men who drove 
back the Indians and Mexicans and caused the wilderness to 
blossom as the rose, and increased the little heroic band of 
1,900 in 1848 to a grand army of 180,000 Baptists in 1887. 

Judge Baylor in honor always preferred his brethren to- 
himself. Yet duty compelled him to accept the office of Mod- 
erator of Union Association, the mother of all associations in 
Western Texas. Also that of President of the Texas Baptist 
State Convention, and of the Board of Trustees of the univer- 
sity that bears his name and will perpetuate his fame forever. 
He was also the first President of the Texas Baptist Educa- 
tional Society. He was also a short time on the Supreme- 
bench of Texas. 



694 The Life and Writings of 

Judge Baylor was never married. It is said a beautiful 
young lady to whom he was engaged in early life died sud- 
denly a few weeks before their anticipated marriage. This 
blight on his poetic and sensitive nature never passed away. 
He built him a beautiful home in a majestic grove of live 
oaks six miles west of Independence. 

His sister, Mrs. Metcalf, who was very similar to him in 
piety, gentleness and taste, lived with him, and made his home 
happy and joyous. 

Judge Baylor was passionately fond of music, poetry and 
painting. He was a lover of all that was beautiful, pure and 
grand. He was an ardent lover of little children, good men 



ON THE OLD COLLEGE CAMPUS AT INDEPENDENCE. 
<Jrave of Judge R. E. B. Baylor, in Whose Honor Baylor University was Named 

and women, of God, the church and his country. Without a 
particle of pomp, he was princely in his manners. His liber- 
ality was great. He made the first $1,000 donation ever 
given to the cause of education in Texas. To the poor and to 
every good cause hisheart and purse were ever open. Judge 
Baylor was not such a born leader or planner as his illustrious 
co-laborer, Wm. M. Tryon, but he was rather an inspiration 
for every good plan by whomsoever originated. He was emi- 
nent as a peacemaker in society and among his brethren. 
While he was a Landmark Baptist, he loved devotedly all 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 



69i 



Christ's people, whether Protestant or Catholic. But he was 
never ashamed of his religion or of being a Baptist. In the 
forests, in log cabins, in palatial halls, every man recognized 
in him an humble, devoted Christian and a Baptist. Who 
can ever estimate the influence of such a man in a new and 
formative state of society as Texas was in 1839 to 1873 ! The 
last ten years of his life was devoted to religious duties, read- 
ing the Bible, meditations, prayer and preaching. On the 
10th of December, 1873, in his 82nd year, he fell asleep in 
Jesus, as gently as sinks the gale when storms are over. May 
the noble example of Rev. and Hon. R. E. B. Baylor live in 
the affectionate remembrance of Texas Baptists. May the 
Lord raise us up many such men as Wm. M. Tryon and R. E. 
B. Baylor and their co-laborers, and may the glory of the 
"New Guard" excel the glory of the "Old Guard," is my earn- 
est prayer. 



ELDER NOAH T. BYARS. 




N. T. BYAES. 



This name justly deserves a prominent place among "the 
pathfinders and foundation builders' 7 of Texas Baptists. For, 
though an uneducated man, he did in his sphere a glorious 



696 The Life and Writings of 

work not surpassed by Baylor, Tryon, Huckins, or any other 
man. He aided and was largely instrumental in organizing 
three associations, covering at that time all Western Texas 
and sixty churches. And his name and Christian labors 
should ever be held dear by every Baptist. 

He was born in South Carolina, May 17th, 1808. His 
parents were pious, but poor, and unable to give him an educa- 
tion beyond reading, writing and arithmetic. But he used 
this limited education for great and glorious purposes during 
his long and useful life. He was converted when sixteen 
years old, and felt a strong desire to exhort sinners and lead 
them to Christ. But his education was so limited he could 
not realize that an Allwise and powerful God would call such 
an ignorant youth as he was to discharge the glorious work of 
leading lost sinners to their only Savior. He, therefore, 
smothered these convictions, and learned and pursued vigor- 
ously his trade as blacksmith. In 1830, when twenty-two 
years old, he removed to Georgia, and five years later, hearing 
the mighty call from Texas to come and repel the Mexican 
invaders on the west and the bloody savages on the north, he 
came to Texas and located at Washington, on the Brazos, 
then the capital of Texas. He opened a large blacksmith shop 
and armory to make and repair implements of warfare for Gen. 
Houston's army, and also agricultural implements. His 
friend and brother, Richard Ellis, a devoted young Baptist 
and patriot, was remarkably skilled in the use of the whip- 
saw, and furnished Brother Byars with the material to erect 
his shop; and as this was the largest hall in Washington, it 
was used for an assembly of the Constitutional Convention. 
And there the immortal Declaration of Independence of Texas 
was made March 2, 1836. Brother Byars hoped amid stir- 
ring, exciting scenes of war his convictions in regard to preach- 
ing would pass away. But as he saw scores and hundreds of 
young men far away from home and mother and churches, he 
heard the call tenfold louder by day and by night, "Woe is me 
if I preach not the gospel." And when the grand old hero, 
Elder Z. N. Morrell, proposed to establish an appointment for 
preaching every Sunday, prayer-meeting every Wednesday 
night, Brethren K T. Byars, H. S. Cartmel, A. Bufnngton,. 
Richard Ellis and J. R. Jenkins promptly responded to hi? 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 697 

call. And in 1837 they organized a Baptist church, the first 
ever organized in Texas, and the influence of that church has 
been widely felt throughout Texas, and its influence will never 
die till the stars fade away. In addition to Brother Byars' 
work in his armory and blacksmith shop, he discharged the 
duties of sergeant-at-arms for the Senate of Texas, but when 
the Capital was removed from "Washington to Houston the 
town of Washington was for a few years almost deserted, and 
the members of that heroic little church were scattered abroad, 
but, like the early Christians at Jerusalem, though "scattered 
abroad" on the murder of Steven, they went everywhere 
preaching the gospel and sowing the seeds of light and knowl- 
edge. Brother Byars removed to the Colorado Valley and 
settled above Bastrop. Here he became Associate Justice of 
the county for two years and was re-elected for two succeeding 
years. But as there was no preaching in that vast 
destitute region, he could resist the call to preach 
no longer, and he and others united in organizing 
the little church, Macedonia. He was immediately licensed to 
preach, and in less than a year the church called for his ordi- 
nation, and he was ordained October 16, 1841, to the grand 
work of his life by Elder Z. 1ST. Morrell and John Woodruff. 
In the meantime, realizing the great truth, "it is not good for 
man to be alone," and that a guardian angel was very neces- 
sary on the frontier of Texas, he married a lovely woman, who 
became a heroic helpmeet to him for a long life of struggling 
for the glory of the Redeemer. Brother Byars immediately 
became pastor of Macedonia Church, and established another 
church in what is now known as Burleson County, on the 
Yegua river. The brethren here erected a comfortable house 
of worship, which Judge Baylor said was the best in the Repub- 
lic of Texas at that time. In 1842 he was commissioned by 
President Sam Houston as armorer and blacksmith for the 
Indians. He accepted this position for a twofold purpose; 
first, he hoped he could thereby gain access to the hearts of 
the Indians and Christianize and civilize them; second, he was 
sorely pressed for means to support his growing family; but 
after a faithful trial he found it impossible to win the Texas 
Indians to Christ and civilization. He resigned, and resolved 
to devote his whole life to preaching to his countrymen, and 



The Life and Writings of 

especially in destitute places. He removed from the Colorado 
to Richland Creek, in Navaro County, and to supplement his 
meager support he reluctantly accepted the office of Notary 
Public for Navaro County. But finding this office conflict- 
ing with many calls for preaching in remote and destitute 
places, he resigned. Brother Byars carried out fully the early 
Texas motto,. ''Crowd upon the track of the Indian and buffalo, 
and wherever you see the smoke of the white man curling 
there unfold the banner of the cross." 

In 1843 he was the only preacher between the Brazos 
and Trinity rivers, from Grimes and Walker Counties to Bed 
river. The Southern Baptist Convention was organized in 
1845, and soon after he was appointed as missionary to this 
vast territory. The Baptist State Convention of Texas was 
organized at Anderson in 1848. Brother Byars was sick in 
bed, but sent his best wishes and prayers for the success of the 
convention. He was the first missionary appointed under the 
convention, and continued his labors under the Convention 
Board for ten years, during which time he organized over 
sixty churches, and aided very materially in organizing three 
associations, and traveled thousands of miles over vast prairies, 
often during the melting rays of the summer sun and under 
the freezing northers of winter. 

In 1851 he organized the first Baptist Church in Waco 
with seven members. He organized churches and Sunday- 
schools in every part of his vast territory. And he always 
organized on the strictest principles of gospel churches, accord- 
ing to Baptist usages. 

No missionary work has ever stood the test of time 
better than the work of Brother Byars. But this vast mis- 
sionary labor, often swimming creeks and sleeping under trees 
at night, and preaching in log cabins or under live oak trees 
or brush arbors, sadly impaired his health, especially brought 
on throat trouble, and his physicians declared that he must 
suspend his missionary labors, for a while at least. And as he 
and many other brethren had growing families they were not 
able to send to older and more expensive institutions, they 
were eager to have a Baptist college on the frontier, where 
they could educate their loved ones nearer home and cheaper. 
Brother Byars resolved that he would unite with these 



Dk. Rufus C. Burleson. 699 

brethren and establish a Baptist college at Palo Pinto, a 
healthy and beautiful village in North Texas. He entered 
upon this great and difficult work with his usual zeal and 
-energy. Our beloved and grand old pioneer preacher and 
stock king, Elder G. W. Slaughter, started the subscription 
for "Brazos College' 7 with $1,500 casn. Brother Byars spent 
over two years traveling through Texas and part of Mississippi 
to secure money to erect the building. The buildings were 
erected, but for some defect in the walls they gave way, and 
after being used a few years, like so many Baptist schools in 
Texas, utterly failed. The physicians now urged Brother 
Byars to go to the coast country on account of his throat 
trouble. He settled near Galveston Bay, and as his voice 
strengthened he preached to destitute places, and labored to 
build up an institution called "Byars Institute." While in 
this part of Texas he was Moderator of Tryon Association. 
But finding his throat trouble not improving, he moved to the 
State of Mississippi to gain rest and secure the education of his 
children. His throat improved, and in 1869 he became State 
evangelist and missionary of the Sunflower Association. But 
it is a well-known fact, no man who has ever breathed the 
fresh, pure air of Texas, and gazed upon her boundless prai- 
ries, carpeted with unending green and fragrant with flowers, 
can ever be content to live out of Texas. Hence in 1871 
Brother Byars returned to his beloved Texas. He imme- 
diately took work in the West Fork Association, and then two 
years in the Salado Association; then two years under the 
Texas Baptist General Association. After this he served the 
Brownwood Church for a year and a half. Then, as he 
expressed it, "he was like an old ship laid up in ordinary." His 
■first wife having died some years before, he married a worthy 
lady near Brownwood, and came in possession of a little home, 
where he spent his last days in comparative ease and quietness. 
The beloved pastor of Brownwood, Rev. J. D. Robnett, who 
has recently joined him and our grand army of Texas pioneers 
in glory, did all he could to render the aged missionary com- 
fortable and happy. Thus lived and died Elder Noah T. 
Byars, one of the most indefatigable and useful missionaries 
that God ever gave to bless Texas. 



700 



The Life and Writings of 
ELDER HOSEA GARRETT. 




HOSEA GARRETT. 

Our venerable brother is the oldest member of the Old 
Guard now living. He was born in Laurens District, South 
Carolina, November 26, 1800, just the same age of Gov. A. 
C. Horton, and nine years younger than Hon. R. E. B. Baylor,, 
and just nine years older than Rev. Wm, M. Tryon, his noble 
and departed peers. 

He moved to Texas in 1842, and settled on the place 
where he now lives. He has lived and acted and preached 
in the same neighborhood for nearly half a hundred years 
without a breath of suspicion on his name as a neighbor, a 
patriot, a Christian and a preacher. Hence no man in Wash- 
ington County or Texas in more honored or beloved that 
"Father Garrett." Though his long life in Texas is utterly 
void of those thrilling events that characterize "the Heroine of 
the Alamo," and many of the Old Guard, and his early educa- 
tion was limited, and though he has none of the grace of person 
or oratory, yet he stands pre-eminent in usefulness, and the 
unbounded confidence and love of his brethren and all good 
citizens. He is a monument of what uneducated, strong 
common sense, incorruptible honesty and devoted, humble 
piety can attain. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 701 

He is one of the founders and for forty-two years a trus 
tee of Baylor University and for thirty-five years President of 
the Board of Trustees. He has been President of the Baptist 
State Convention and Vice-President of the Southern Baptist 
Convention. He was converted and baptized about 1830: 
was ordained in 1834. His first pastorate was in his native 
district in South Carolina. He has been the efficient pastor 
of many of the most prominent churches in Washington, 
Burleson and Austin Counties. 

The grand old pioneer church of Providence, Washington 
County, Prospect, Caldwell and Post Oak, in Burleson 
County, and Bellville, Austin County, were especially blessed 
by his long and faithful pastoral labors. Though some of 
these churches were thirty and forty miles from his home, and 
over streams, often swimming, and without bridges, he rarely 
ever missed an appointment. 

His sermons are always plain, without any of the graces 
of declamation, always logical, Scriptural, "with tears." I 
never heard him preach a sermon that did not give food for 
thought. And it has been truly sard, "Good living is the 
tallest kind of preaching," and, according to this standard, his 
was of the highest order. . , 

Indeed, he was an eminent example of what a devout 
Christian preacher can do by daily reading the Bible and good 
books and Baptist papers, and meditating on them. A promi- 
nent Methodist preacher, Bev. Thomas Woolrige, said to me : 
"Brother Hosea Garrett is the closest student I ever knew. 
He is always thinking and always studying at home or abroad, 
on the farm or on the roadside. Biding, walking or sitting, 
he is always thinking." 

And it is my deliberate conviction that no preacher in 
Texas has made greater improvement in knowledge in the last 
forty-six years than Brother Hosea Garrett. Though he was 
probably never inside of a college till he became a trustee, yet 
by reading, conversation and observation, he is profoundly 
acquainted and skilled in the great interests of colleges — 
their value and means of advancement. 

In this age I am rejoiced to hear so much said about edu- 
cation for the ministry, and am equally pained to hear so little 
•said about education in the ministry. It is appalling to see 



702 The Life and Writings of 

how soon many of our promising young preachers stop growing 
in the ministry. 

Every man ought to grow in body till he is twenty years 
old, and he ought to grow in knowledge till he is three score 
and ten, or till he dies. How mournful to see many of our 
preachers begin to decline in pulpit power at thirty or thirty- 
five, and at forty-five rust out, and leave their congregations, 
because their congregations have left them. To all such I 
commend the example of Father Garrett. 

I pray that his example may impress the 1,400 Baptist 
preachers in Texas with the profound importance of Paul's 
command: "Study to show thyself a workman approved 
unto God. Give attendance to reading; meditate on these 
things that thy profiting may appear unto all men." But, 
next to his ardent piety, the great source of his power is in his 
sound, practical judgment — his wise counsels. I was most 
intimately associated with him during the ten years I was Pres- 
ident of Baylor University, at Independence, for he was Presi- 
dent of the Board of Trustees all that time. And I never 
knew a man whose judgment was on all occasions equal to his. 

It was his sound judgment, more than any other man's, 
that saved Texas from rushing headlong into all the ultraisms 
of "Old Landmarkism Reset." on the one hand, and to the bit- 
ter antagonism to our indefatigable, earnest and beloved 
Bro. J. R. Graves on the other. All the Old Guard, except 
three, were genuine Old Landmarkers from the beginning. 
When they were converted, baptized and ordained they were 
"set" firmly on the Old Landmarks, and never needed "reset- 
ting." Bro. J. R. Graves and the great Dr. J.M.Pendleton had 
received members into Baptist churches on Pedo-baptist or 
alien immersion, and engaged in union meetings and needed 
"resetting" the worst kind, but alas! in resetting their Old 
Landmarks, and not being very familiar with the old lines, 
they took in "Pulpit Communion" or affiliation and other 
points that were not included in the old landmarks set by our 
fathers, that God commands us not to remove. 

In the midst of the fierce and ever-to-be deplored con- 
troversy between Dr. R. B. C. Howell, my dear old pastor, 
and Dr. J. R. Graves, Brother Garrett spent several months in 
Tennessee seeking a cure for a cancer that was eating away 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 703 

the life of his first angel wife. While there he studied prayer- 
fully and carefully the "Landmark Question" and the Howell- 
Graves difficulty. 

He came home iresolved to guard Texas 'against all 
"entangling alliances/' and to hold Texas Baptists firmly on 
the old landmarks, without any "resetting;" in other words, 
to let Tennessee settle her own difficulties, and to avoid all 
ultraism and new issues about Pulpit Affiliation, the Interme- 
diate State, "Did the Divinity Suffer ?" and "Inter-Commun- 
ion," and to consecrate all our energies to make Texas the 
greatest Baptist State between the oceans. 

March 9, 1887. 

REV. DAVID B. MORRILL. 

This name deserves to be recorded by the side of Rev. 
James H. Stribling on the roll of "The Old Guard" of Texas 
Baptists. I met him first in Galveston in 1848 during a 
great revival I conducted in that city. 

Brother Morrill descended from the illustrious New 
England family of Merrills, but he was born in New York, 
and came to Texas a poor boy, and engaged to drive a hack 
from Galveston to Matagorda for Mr. J. W. "Winnie. He 
was so industrious, frugal and devoted to business he had 
become part owner of that great stage line and was the super- 
intendent. He invested all his earnings in Galveston city 
property, and was laying the foundation of a splendid fortune, 
all of which he surrendered for the life of a pioneer Baptist 
preacher. His partner, Mr. Winnie, said to me : "You have 
spoiled the finest business young man in Galveston." I replied, 
"It is the Lord's doing, and not mine." Brother Morrill 
immediately entered Baylor University at Independence to 
prepare thoroughly for his life work. 

At Baylor University he met a true yoke-fellow, Rev. 
Jas. H. Stribling. They studied hard and prayed earnestly 
all the week, and preached on Sunday in all the surrounding 
neighborhoods. They conducted some of the greatest revi- 
vals known in Texas, and at ISTew Year's Creek over seventy- 
five souls were converted. 

Brother Morrill was still a student in Baylor University 
when I became President in 1851. He was reading Horace, 



704: The Life and Writings of 

Homer and the Greek Testament with great zeal and fluency. 
But his beloved yoke-fellow had gone into the great West to 
preach Jesus, and often wrote him of the vast destitution and 
hundreds of destitute towns and settlements, and "the Mace- 
donian cry" was ringing in his ears by day and by night, 
"Come over and help us," till at last he said to me, "I can stay 
no longer." About this time a devout Baptist young lady, 
Miss Laura Hatch, came to visit her old pastor, Rev. G. W. 
Baines, and his family. The devout son of New York and 
the lovely daughter of Mississippi "met by chance, but the 
usual way," as directed by Divine Providence. As two 
transparent dewdrops of the morning mutually attract and 
flow together, so these pure and noble young hearts attracted 
each other, and on the 17th of February, 1852, they met at 
the hymeneal altar, and the Rev. George W. Baines made 
them one in name, and one in destiny, as they were already one 
in affection. Never were two hearts more devoted to each 
other or more consecrated to the church of the Redeemer. 

Brother Morrill became pastor of Victoria, and Brother 
Stribling at Gonzales, but they held meetings together in all 
the growing towns from the mountains to the Gulf. This 
arduous frontier labor was seriously impairing Brother Mor- 
rill's health and depriving him of the opportunity of study he 
so much desired. Hence he accepted the pastorship of the 
ehurch at Crockett. But while pastor at Crockett he gained a 
clearer insight into the sad condition of the Baptist cause lying 
east of the Trinity river. 

Brother Morrill, therefore, accepted a call to the Mont- 
gomery Church, and spent two years in earnest, successful 
work and profound study of God's holy word. But his soul 
pined for a wider and more laborious field for organizing the 
denomination in Eastern Texas. In 1859 "an open door" 
was given him ; he was elected general agent and missionary of 
the East Texas Baptist Convention and corresponding editor 
•of the Texas Baptist. Thus, in the three-fold capacity of 
agent, editor and evangelist, he visited all Eastern Texas from 
the Red River to the Gulf of Mexico. 

His noble wife stayed at home and supported the family 
while he traversed all Eastern Texas and aroused the brethren 
and churches to a greater zeal for Jesus and our native land. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 705 

Brother Morrill and other noble spirits in Eastern, Northwest- 
ern and Central Texas saw that to meet the growing needs of 
all these sections there should be organized a General Asso- 
ciation to act in perfect harmony with the dear old Baptist 
State Convention, which for twenty years had done such glo- 
rious work in Texas. To achieve this grand result, Brother 
Morrill visited every association and nearly all the churches, 
and aroused the whole of Eastern and Northwestern Texas to 
the importance of a wider and stronger and grander organi- 
zation. 

While engaged in this noble work of love and union God 
greatly blessed his preaching, and many glorious revivals fol- 
lowed and hundreds were converted. At Ladonia alone seven- 
ty-five souls were converted. The East Texas Convention and 
the district associations cordially approved the new 
organization, and appointed messengers to meet for general 
consultation in Tyler during the regular session of the Chero- 
kee Association, in October, 1867. After a full and broth- 
erly consultation in Tyler, it was unanimously resolved to 
meet at Chatfield, Navarro County, August, 1868, for per- 
manent organization. Brother D. B. Morrill was appointed 
to preach the introductory sermon and to continue his general 
agency for Eastern Texas. The spirit of prayer and broth- 
erly love was so earnest in this Tyler meeting God gave us a 
glorious revival, and over 125 souls were converted. But, 
alas, with a sad and almost bleeding heart, I saw Brother 
Morrill had entirely overworked himself, and, like Spurgeon 
and many of our noblest workers, neglected to hear the com- 
mand of our all-wise and merciful Savior, ''Come ye apart and 
rest awhile." I saw his whole nervous system was prostrate, 
and I shuddered and wept when I saw that powerful consti- 
tution he had when we toiled together in Galveston twenty 
years ago was now utterly broken down. He removed to 
Ladonia to supply that church as pastor and be nearer his 
great work on Bed River and Northwest Texas. Though so 
prostrate from overwork, work was essential to his happiness. 
Great revivals and a new spirit of missions abounded wherever 
he went. In February, 1868, he went to the beautiful town 
of Honey Grove to preach an important doctrinal sermon 
repelling some assaults on Baptist doctrine and history. 



706 The Life and Writings of 

Though so feeble, he preached with wonderful power for two 
hours, utterly anihilating all the false charges against the 
Baptists. He rode home that evening amid a piercing norther, 
snow and ice. Reaching home, shivering with cold, he said 
to his devoted wife: "I have preached my last sermon. I 
am going home, where chilling winds are felt and feared no 
more." The whole town was aroused. Unceasing prayers 
were offered for his recovery by day and by night. But he 
cheerfully said: "I am going home. Tell my brethren 
everywhere I die in the arms of Jesus and in the path of duty, 
and I want them to be united in love and meet me in heaven." 
Scores of anxious friends, and even infidels, gathered around 
his deathbed, to see with what triumphant joy a Christian can 
die. 

Many were converted in the great revival that imme- 
diately followed, and ascribed their conversion to the triumph- 
ant death of Brother Morrill. When the noble bands of East- 
ern, Central and Northwestern Texas assembled at Chatfield 
in 1868, Brother Morrill was sleeping with Jesus at Ladonia, 
and his spirit was rejoicing in heaven; and there was a sad 
vacancy in every heart. Thus lived and died Elder David B. 
Morrill, in the vigor of manhood and the full tide of useful- 
ness. In his dying prayer he commended his devoted wife 
and eight children to God, "and though dead he yet speake.th," 
and his sermons will live in Texas till the stars grow dim. 



GOV. A. C. HORTOK 

Gov. A. C. Horton, as a cavalry officer of Fannin's ill- 
fated army, as a leading member of the first Texas Congress 
in 1836, as a member of the Annexation Convention of 1845, 
as Governor of Texas — as a man of princely wealth and hospi- 
tality — as a devoted Baptist deacon — as a member of 
the first Texas Baptist State Convention in 1848, 
as a Trustee of Baylor University, was for thirty years a noble 
co-worker of the Old Guard. Gov. Horton was a giant in 
body and intellect. For native force, for clear reasoning, and 
for profound penetration he had no superior. And if his 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 707 

great brain had not been weighed down by a vast pile of cotton 
bales, and sugar barrels, and rich plantations, he would have 
been the peer of Houston, VanZ ant, W. H. Jack and Thos. J. 
Rusk. Gov. Horton was born in the grand old State of 
Georgia in 1800. His father died when he was quite young, 
and, like Washington, Marion and Tryon, and so many great 
men, he was brought up by a pious widowed mother on a 
small but ample farm. 

His noble mother, however, made one fearful mistake, 
which, but for the grace of God, would have damned him for- 
ever. Under the fatal plausible plea of keeping him at home, 
she allowed him to acquire great skill and passion for card- 
playing. This fatal knowledge and skill soon brought him 
in contact with gamblers — the most hardened criminals that 
ever cursed the earth. Gamblers 1854 years ago sat down on 
the trembling earth, under the darkened heavens, by the 
bleeding cross, and gambled for the seamless coat of the dying 
Jesus, while his weeping, heart-broken mother stood beside 
him and would have given her heart's blood for that garment 
as a relic, as a memento, of her murdered, loving son. This 
act displayed "the true inwardness" of all gamblers then and 
now. The gamblers of Waco and Dallas are just as heartless 
to-day, and their occasional reckless display of their easily 
gotten gains is simply a trick of their profession to cover their 
heartlesness. All fathers and mothers should teach their 
sons to shun cards and gamblers as they would rattlesnakes. 
This the widowed mother of Gov. Horton found out when it 
was too late. And if Gov. Horton' s mother could speak from 
the eternal world to-day, she would say: "Mothers, teach 
your sons to shun cards and gamblers as deadly vipers." For 
she saw her noble son goaded on by his fatal passion for gam- 
bling, in spite of his own better judgment and his mother's 
tears. He frequented gambling houses, and especially race 
grounds, and was often a winner and oftener a loser. He wan- 
dered out into the Tennessee Valley in North Alabama, then 
the garden spot of the South — celebrated for brave men, beau- 
tiful women and fine race horses. Miss Dent, the daughter 
of Deacon Dent, was the reigning belle. Her misguided 
father allowed her to attend that most fatal and fascinating of 
all the accursed forms of gambling — horse racing — and the 



708 The Life and Writings of 

accompanying balls. To the infinite disgust of Deacon Dent, 
two or three dashing gamblers sought the heart and hand of 
the wealthy, beautiful heiress, till in his delirium of grief the 
father said : "I do believe my poor child is doomed to marry 
a gambler, and if I could find a decent gambler, she might 
marry him. 77 Young Horton heard of this, and presented 
himself at once and frankly said : "Sir, what you seek is not 
on the earth; they are a race of heartless demons. I am 
among them, but not one of them. If you will trust your 
beautiful, angel daugher to me, I will make her happy. " And 
the beautiful belle became the loving bride of the young 
Georgian about 1828. But neither the tears of his mother, 
the prayers of Deacon Dent, nor the entreaties of his adored 
bride could break that fatal fascination for gambling. But 
an event occurred which none but "poor, blind men/ 7 who 
have "traveled East in search of light, 77 can ever appreciate. 
He joined the Masonic Lodge at LaGrange, Alabama. Kev. 
Wm. Leigh, grandfather of Leigh and Rufus Burleson, and 
Mr. Segim B. Moore conferred the degree with all its power 
and beauty. Young Horton wept like a child. Going out of 
that lodge room he, with tears, said to Mr. Leigh : f 'Oh, sir, 
this night I begin a new life. In this degree 1 see the beauty 
and eternal value of all my mother, my wife and her father 
have said. I have bet my last dollar. I am raised into a 
higher, holier life. I am a new man. 77 A few days after, 
"the strong grip of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah 77 raised 
him high up into a Christian life. He was joyfully converted 
and baptized by that eloquent preacher, Daniel P. Baptis, who 
a short time before had married Miss Townes, the bosom friend 
and reigning belle with Miss Dent, Soon afterwards the elo- 
quent preacher and the reformed gambler moved with their 
large wealth to Green County, Alabama. Brother Horton 
was elected and served one term in the Senate of Alabama, but 
he followed the star of empire in its westward flight, and in 
1835 he came to Texas and bought several leagues of land on 
"Old Caney," and settled at Matagorda. 

In October of that same year, Santa Anna, finding the 
Mexicans utterly incapable of self-government, established 
the only government suited to a Catholic people — a military 
despotism. He sent his brother-in-law, Gen. Cos, to estab- 






Dr. Bufus C. Burleson. 709 

lish the same government in Texas. The advance guard of 
Gen. Cos' army was routed at Gonzales and driven into San 
Antonio by the brave Texans, under Col. John H. Moore. 
Gen. Cos, with his whole army, was besieged in San Antonio 
from October 28th to December 9th, when he and his whole 
army, with all the military stores, surrendered to Gen. Edward 
Burleson, the commander of the Texan army. 

Santa Anna was enraged at the capture of his brother-in- 
law, Cos, and his men. He raised an army of 8,000 picked 
troops, whom he had led to victory on so many battlefields. 
Also his 1,000 Guatemalean Indians — called his black angels 
of death. He moved with his usual celerity on San Antonio 
and captured and killed the last one of its brave defenders. 

All Texas was marching to meet the invaders. Brother 
Horton raised a company of cavalry, and joined the brave but 
ill-fated Col. Fannin and his noble army, made up chiefly of 
Georgians. One company, however, was Capt. (Doctor) 
Shacklef ord's, made up of a noble set of young men, sons of 
Gov. Hoston's old Alabama friends. As soon as the Alamo 
fell, Gen. Houston, their commander-in-chief, ordered Col. 
Fannin to blow up the fortification at Goliad and retreat to the 
Colorado. Gov. (then Captain) Horton urged Col. Fannin 
to obey Houston's order, both because it was the order of the 
commander-in-chief, and because the eagle-eyed Horton 
clearly foresaw that if they remained there the brave boys of 
loving mothers in Alabama and Georgia would be sacrificed in 
vain. But the gallant Fannin, more daring than wise, refused 
to obey promptly, but lingered until his retreat was cut off, and 
he and his whole army captured retreating, seventeen miles 
from Goliad, on the Coleto, and led back to Goliad and shot 
in cold blood on the 27th of March. Capt. Horton and his 
cavalry were all of Fannin's men who escaped, and that by a. 
mere accident. In setting out on the retreat from Goliad, 
spies reported that cavalry from Santa Anna's army, then 
moving from the Alamo to Gonzales, were seeking to cut off 
Fannin's retreat, and Col. Fannin ordered Capt. Horton with 
his cavalry to drive them back and scour the whole country 
between Goliad and Victoria. This hazardous duty he exe- 
cuted, bravely chasing Santa Anna's men many miles and 
scouring the country as directed, but alas ! on hastening back 



710 The Life and Writings of 

to join Fannin he found he was cut off entirely, and his whole 
army made prisoners. 

Who can tell the grief that wrung the great heart of Hor- 
ton when he saw the brave sons of his old Alabama and 
Georgia friends led forth like sheep to the slaughter ! Among 
them that heroic fourteen-year-old boy, Fenner, who, hearing 
the dastard foe cocking their muskets behind them when they 
were placed into line to be shot, cried out : "Boys, they are 
going to shoot us in the back; let us turn our faces and die 
like men !" And, turning around, a Mexican ball pierced 
his noble heart, and he fell dead. This noble boy was a son 
of Capt. Horton's old neighbor near La Grange, Ala. Capt. 
Horton and his gallant company hastened back to join Gen. 
Houston, and hence were fully prepared on the plains of San 
Jacinto to shout, "Remember Goliad! Remember the 
Alamo !" 

As soon as independence was gained, Brother Horton 
was elected to the first Texas Congress, that framed the Con- 
stitution of the Republic of Texas. He was one of the Com- 
missioners appointed by President Lamar to select and locate 
the city of Austin. He was also a member of the Annexation 
Committee. He was elected Lieutenant Governor with Gov. 
J. Pinkney Henderson, the first Governor of Texas, in 1846. 
Gov. Henderson resigned to go into the Mexican war, and Gov. 
Horton succeeded him as Governor, and no man ever filled the 
Governor's chair with more dignity and ability. When his 
term of office expired, he followed his inclinations and retired 
to his farms. His immense estates, variously estimated at 
from $300,000 to $400,000, engrossed all his time. 

I met him first at the organization of the Texas Baptist 
State Convention, at Anderson, September 8, 1848. I served 
with him on the committee to draft the constitution. My 
father knew him intimately in Alabama, and often spoke of 
him as a remarkable man, but his penetration and vast com- 
pass of mind far excelled all my expectations, for, though 
Brother R. S. Blount and I had been at work on the constitu- 
tion two months, and had collated and culled from the Consti- 
tutions of Virginia,, North Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia, 
and secretly written out the constitution before leaving Hous- 
ton, we were both startled at the questions and wisdom of 



De. Kuftjs C. Bueleson. 711 

Gov. Horton, who probably never saw a constitution of a Bap- 
tist State Convention. I knew him intimately afterwards as 
deacon at Matagorda, and trustee and patron of Baylor Uni- 
versity. Nothing ever impressed me more than his tender and 
deep interest for the comfort and religious welfare of his 
slaves. He owned nearly 300 — a large number of them mem- 
bers of the Baptist Church. He made a church house, built 
convenient between his plantations, and employed a preacher 
to preach for them. Bro. Noah Hill, his pastor, said it was 
the most touching scene he ever saw to see Gov. Horton and 
his noble wife reading the Bible and praying for their serv- 
ants. If the South had been full of such Christian masters 
as Gov. Horton, God never would have allowed the abolition 
fanatics to set the slaves free till they were christianized and 
prepared for citizenship, or to return home to Africa and col- 
onize and christianize "the Dark Continent." The African race 
would thereby have been a blessing to both continents. When 
I visited him as President of Baylor University, by his special 
request, I preached for his slaves. As a deacon he was faith- 
ful, tender and liberal. As a trustee, he not only gave $5,000 
and a magnificent bell, but he gave our beloved sons his 
prayers, and he assured me it was his purpose ultimately to 
endow a professorship of not less than $50,000. But alas! 
that cruel war crushed his great heart, wrecked his princely 
• fortune, and turned his once happy and contented slaves loose 
to become homeless vagabonds, and made the richest part of 
Texas little else than an African territory. Our great and 
good brother, after a wonderful career, fell asleep in Jesus. 
"But he being dead yet speaketh," and may his love of Texas, 
his devotion to Baylor University, and his zeal for the salva- 
tion of the colored race inspire us to love Texas more than life, 
to endow Baylor University with $500,000, and never cease 
to pray and toil for the colored people till Ethiopia shall 
stretch forth her hand, and the last one of the sons of Ham 
shall be saved and sit at the feet of Jesus. 



712 The Life and Writings of 

HOK ISAAC VANZAKDT. 

Even Moses needed an Aaron and a Hur to hold up and 
strengthen his failing arms. Without the aid of his co-la- 
borers the greatest leader and law-giver the world ever saw 
could not have accomplished his grand mission. And, though 
the Old Guard were heroic, self-reliant men, and every man a 
statue of his own base and altitude, yet their grand work 
would not have been so well accomplished without their co- 
laborers. 

The name of Isaac Vanzandt, like a pure, unclouded 
star, shines resplendent. As a patriot, a profound statesman 
and diplomatist, he had few equals and no superiors. To "him 
Texas is largely indebted for her timely and auspicious annex- 
ation in 1845 to the United States. 

When the enemies of Texas were seeking to blacken her 
fame and brand her as an asylum for runaways, thieves and 
robbers, the great Vanzandt appeared at Washington City as 
Charge d' Affaires from Texas. His commanding person, 
his open, frank countenance, beaming with intelligence, 
attracted the attention and excited the admiration of every 
beholder, while his profound statesmanship enabled him to 
grapple with the mightiest diplomats of the Old and the New 
World. And, like another Atlas, he bore on his shoulders 
the Lone Star of Texas, fixed her forever in the galaxy of 
States, no longer as the Lone Star, but the bright star of the 
American Union. When he had performed this great service 
for his beloved Texas, his grateful fellow-citizens, with almost 
unanimous consent, desired him as their Governor. And 
within a few weeks of his election he was smitten down with 
that fell disease, yellow fever, and died, at the age of thirty- 
eight, in Houston. He fell, like a brilliant sun, in the noon- 
day of his manhood and glory. 

Mr. Vanzandt was born in Franklin County, Tennesse. 
His school education was cut short by feeble health, but his 
strong intellect and great thirst for reading supplied so fully 
the lack of scholastic training, that for general intelligence he 
had few equals. He was emphatically the architect of his 
own fortune. At the early age of sixteen he was converted, 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 713 

joined, the Baptist Church, and was baptized by Rev. Mr. 
Wood, and through an exciting and eventful career, and 
deprived often of his beloved church privileges, he never for- 
got his allegiance to his Redeemer. When a leading mem- 
ber of the Texas Congress, in 1842, he was invited to deliver 
an address on Sunday-schools. An eminent Presbyterian 
minister who heard that address pronounced it one of the 
ablest pleas he ever heard for the observance of the Sabbath 
and the indispensible necessity of religion as the foundation 
of morals and liberty. Rev. and Hon. R. E. B. Baylor, who 
knew him intimately, and roomed with him during their 
arduous labor in framing the constitution and articles of annex- 
ation, 1845, has often said to me: "I never knew a more 
conscientious, upright, Christian statesman, though he was 
never permitted to enjoy church privileges in Texas." 

While a member of the Texas Congress, in 1840 and 
1841, he first became acquainted with Rev. W. M. Try on. 
They at once felt that they were congenial spirits. He not 
only aided in electing Brother Tryon Chaplain, but he became 
his devoted friend and co-laborer in every good work. 

Soon after his marriage to Miss Lipscomb, a lady fitted in 
every respect to be the companion of a hero, he removed first 
to Coffeeville, Miss., in 1835. 

In 1839 he removed to Texas, and soon his splendid tal- 
ents, his incorruptible integrity, and his affable, frank and 
genial bearing gained him universal favor. He became, as we 
have seen, in 1840, a Congressman of the Republic. In 1845 
he received the appointment of Charge d' Affaires to the 
United States, then the most responsible and difficult position 
any Texan could fill. How well he discharged that trust, the 
glorious results demonstrate. 

But how fearfully does the unexpected death of this great 
man illustrate the immortal words of the great Massillon, 
standing by the coffin of the grand monarch, Louis XIV: 
"Here we see there is nothing great but God ; there is nothing 
pure but heaven." 

After a successful campaign Texas expected to see him 
soon inaugurated as Governor. He had gone to Houston as 
one of the last places he would speak in the canvass. 

But, alas ! he had contracted yellow fever either at Vic- 



714 



The Life and Writings of 



toria or Galveston, where that insidious epidemic was just 
beginning its fatal course. 

A short time before his death, Eev. Mr. Tryon asked 
him: "On what are your hopes of acceptance with your 
Creator and your Judge founded?' 7 He promptly replied: 
''On the merits of Christ only." 

It was by such dying testimony as this, and by such elo- 
quent pleas for the Sabbath-school and the strict observance 
of the Lord's Day that this great Statesman became an 
efficient co-laborer of the Old Guard. 

Thus lived and died one of the noble founders of Texas 
independence and glory and a pillar of virtue and morality. 
The remains were borne to the new Baptist Church by his 
Masonic brethren and an immense concourse, where his dear 
old friend, Tryon, preached a sermon of great power and ten- 
derness. His noble companion, a mother in Israel, his two 
daughters, Mrs. Col. Clough and Mrs. Dr. Beall, and Judge 
Vanzandt, the banker, all live in Fort Worth. 

May the mantle of the father fall on the son, and may his 
noble example inspire all the youth of Texas to deeds of piety, 
patriotism and glory. 

HOK A. G. HAYNES. 




A. G. HAYNES. 



In a previous article on the spotless lives and noble deeds 
of our dear brethren of The Old Guard, I wrote: "God's 



Dr. Rtjfus C. Burleson. 715 

mercy to Texas is eminently displayed in giving her true, 
wise and 'heroic leaders in Church and State, equally so in 
the noble men and women He gave to aid them in their great 
plans. And if I can do full justice to the co-laborers who 
stood by the Old Guard and like Aaron and Hur, held up 
their hands, the reader will doubt whether to praise God more 
for the Old Guard or for their co-laborers." This sentiment 
will be fully illustrated and confirmed by the noble deacon, 
Hon. A. G. Haynes, whose long, zealous and eminently use- 
ful life I now desire to record, as a monument to his praise 
and rich legacy to his family, to Texas Baptists and the Em- 
pire State he loved so well. 

Bro. Albert G. Haynes was born in Green county, 
Georgia, August 1, 1805, and was converted and baptized 
into the Concord church in 1828. He was married to Miss 
Matilda Freeman in 1831, who by her lovely, genial spirit 
and unsurpassed domestic Christian virtues was eminently 
fitted to be the bosom companion to so noble a husband. 
After spending two years in Montgomery county, Alabama, 
and eight in Noxuby county, Mississippi, he fixed his life- 
long home in a beautiful live oak grove at Independence, 
Texas, where he spent twenty-nine useful, happy and honor- 
able years, honored and loved by old and young, saint and 
sinner, white and colored. He was ordained deacon of the 
Baptist church in 1843. He was always present and a pillar 
in the church and the joy and stay of his pastor. He was a 
born missionary and Judge Baylor often said, what I and 
others have so often said : "Any man can preach far better 
after hearing Bro. Haynes sing one of the good old songs with 
his heart overflowing with love and his eyes full 
of tears." He was one of the oldest members and 
often the Treasurer and Moderator of the grand 
old Union Association, the mother of all the Baptist Associa- 
tions of Western Texas, as the Sabine Pass Association was 
of all those in Eastern Texas. Bro. Haynes was one of the 
leading spirits in founding and locating Baylor University 
in 1845, and first trustee. He and E. W. Taylor and Brother 
Root came to its rescue in a critical moment and by a liberal 
subscription fixed the location at Independence. After the 
Texas Baptist Educational Society procured the charter and 



716 The Life and Writings of 

the Board of Trustees, a committee was appointed to receive 
bids for location. Health, location and bonus all to be care- 
fully considered. The four earnest competing points were 
LaGrange, Travis, in Austin county,Independenoe and Hunts- 
ville. At the last moment Huntsville was about to receive the 
much coveted location by donating a five-acre lot with the 
one story brick academy. To offset this valuable donation 
Bro. Haynes and Messrs. E. E. Taylor and his partner and 
brother-in-law, Mr. Root, subscribed the two story frame 
building known as "Independence Female Academy" which 
had been sold and bought in at Sheriff's sale for $350, Brother 
Haynes agreeing to pay one-half and Messrs. Root and Taylor, 
then merchants at Independence and afterwards at Houston, 
the other half of the $350. At the first meeting of the 
Board of Trustees ever held, appointed to meet at Independ- 
ence March 1, 1845, there being no quorum they adjourned 
to meet at the newly established town of Brenham March 15, 
1845, when a full boaid met. On motion of Bro. Haynes, 
Judge R. E. B. Baylor was unanimously elected President, 
hence he enjoyed the distinction of making the first motion 
ever made in the Board of Trustees of Baylor University. 
From 1845 to the day of his death, in 1870, and for twenty- 
five years he was a faithful, liberal Trustee. 

For fifteen years its Treasurer, and at one time President 
of the Board. The meetings of the Board were often held at 
his house, and there was always the Independence home of 
Father Garrett, Judge Baylor, Tyrell Jackson and others; 
and many of the wisest plans of the Board were matured un- 
der the wide-spreading and majestic live oaks in Bro. Haynes' 
yard. At the earnest and unanimous request of his fellow 
citizens he served two years as Justice of the Peace, but with- 
out fee or any reward except the pleasure of doing good, being 
a useful citizen and a peacemaker in his community. In 
1856 he was elected to the Legislature and served with ability 
and eminent fidelity. He was too old to enter the army, 
but volunteered to take a large number of colored men, mostly 
his own, to help build the breastworks at Galveston. He, 
with this force, helped to mount the cannon and was present 
at that glorious Confederate victory at Galveston. His old- 
est son, Thomas, was wounded in a terrible battle in Virginia, 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 717 

and returning home on his crutches was killed in a railroad 
accident near Vicksburg, Mississippi. His noble boy, Rich- 
ard, was killed in the second battle of Manassas. His young- 
est son, Albert G., a promising young lawyer, died in 1885. 
His son living, Hon. Harry Haynes, who occupies the old 
homestead, is a noble temperance orator, has been a leading 
member of the Legislature and is a model citizen. The 
daughters of Bro. Haynes are all model Christian mothers, 
and his oldest daughter, Mary Jane, deserves a monument for 
her sacrifices and success in rearing her large family so well. 
Bro. Haynes was eminent for his modesty and love of retire 
ment and the sanctity of home, but his fellow citizens feeling 
the necessity of his incorruptible integrity and keen foresight, 
often called him to fill places of trust, as Justice of the Peace, 
Legislator, and Commissioner of the County Court. His 
liberality and hospitality were simply unbounded. In June, 
1851, I saw him entertain joyfully sixty-three persons, with 
three little log rooms and four live oaks. The occasion was 
the annual examination of Baylor University, and the meet- 
ing of the Texas Baptist State Convention. 

He was called to his glorious reward in Heaven March 
22, 1870, full of years of honor and leaving the rich legacy 
of a good name and a noble life to his family and to Texas for 
all future time. His fellow citizens, as a token of their 
high appreciation of his eminent worth, erected a beautiful 
monument over the spot where he sleeps in Jesus. 

March 23, 1887. 



TYRELL J. JACKSOK 

Bro. Jackson was a noble co-laborer of the Old Guard — 
a real Aaron and Hur to Wm. M. Tryon, R. E. B. Baylor, 
Jas. Huckins, Z. ~N. Morrell, Hosea Garrett and a peer of 0. 
H. P. Garrett, T. J. Pilgrim and A. G. Haynes. Indeed the 
lives and character of brethren Haynes and Jackson were very 
similar. They were both born in Green Co., Georgia, both 
converted and baptized early, both lived some time in Ala- 
bama, both married noble Christian ladies, and raised and 
educated large families of useful sons and daughters. Both 



718 The Life and Writings of 

moved to Texas and settled in Washington county in 1841, 
both were Baptist deacons and trustees of Baylor University 
for over a quarter of a century, both were plain, wealthy 
farmers, eminent for their public spirit and hospitality, both 
lived and died without even a breath of suspicion on their 
reputation as Baptist deacons and Christians. I knew them 
most intimately. I educated, baptized and married their 
children. And many of the happiest hours of my life have 
been spent in their families, and in counseling with them for 
the cause of Christ and for the glory of Texas. 

Brother Jackson, as we have seen, was born in Green 
county, Georgia, but was raised chiefly in Alabama, where he 
resided till he moved to Texas. When 27 years old he mar- 
ried Miss Julia A. Coleman, a lady eminent for modesty, 
gentleness, and every domestic excellency. She ever dis- 
pensed the hospitality of their beautiful home so cordially and 
so sweetly that every guest was anxious to return, and as a 
loving Christian wife and mother she had no superior, 

In 1838 Bro. Jackson was converted and baptized by 
Elder John A. Taylor into the fellowship of the Mount Enon 
Church, Dickens county, Alabama. He moved to Texas and 
settled in Washington county in 1841. He first joined the 
church at Independence and under circumstances very pecu- 
liar and illustrative of the crisis, of the character of himself 
and his noble wife and the consummate generalship of Rev. 
W. M. Tryon. It was in the midst of the fearful struggles 
of the little handful of Baptists with Campbellites as led by 
the unfortunate leader, T. W. Cox. The little church at In- 
dependence was nearly equally divided; thirteen in favor of 
Cox and twelve Baptists firmly set on the Old Land Marks. 

The church conference was that day to settle the vital 
questions; first, the validity of the baptism of Rev. Lindsey 
P. Rucker, and second, whether T. W. Cox or Wm. M. Tryon 
should be elected pastor. 

Bev. Mr. Rucker (now an Episcopal minister), had been 
a Methodist Protestant preacher but being a good scholar, he 
saw immersion alone was baptism and applied for membership 
in the little church at Independence. He was cordially re- 
ceived and his baptism fixed for a day in the near future. 
But Dr. Clough, a deacon, and thoroughly imbued with 



Dr. Rttftjs C. Burleson. 719 

Campbellite ideas, persuaded Elder Rucker that any man 
had a right to administer baptism and took him down to the 
beautiful little stream called Rocky and immersed him, con- 
trary to the grand old landmark, that "three things are essen- 
tial to a valid baptism : 1. A converted believer. 2. A 
regularly ordained Baptist preacher in good standing. 3. 
Immersion in water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy 
Spirit. 

The twelve Baptists knowing the Campbellites had one 
majority, made every effort to get Bro. Jackson and wife to 
put in their letters, which would give them a clear working 
majority of one. But Bro. Jackson, with his great love of 
peace, and having been sorely tried by the fearful divisions 
of the churches in Alabama about missions, Sunday schools, 
etc., resolved to keep out of church trials and wars, and re- 
sisted all importunities to join till the difficulties were settled. 
The Campbellites came up so full of confident success that 
they invited Bro. Try on to preach on Saturday before going 
into conference. The old Independence Female Academy 
building was crowded. Bro. Jackson and wife rode twelve 
miles to be there. 

Bro. Tryon's sermon was to demonstrate the duty and 
importance of every good soldier coming boldly to the front 
in the day of battle, and to illustrate the shame of a soldier 
shirking danger, he related the familiar story of the old pion- 
eer when the big black bear came into his little log cabin, 
climbed up into the loft till his wife with the axe tackled the 
bear and felled the black monster in the floor, and when the 
danger was all over the husband jumped down, seized the stool 
and knocking the bear's brains out, shouted : "Old woman, 
ain't we brave !" * Bro. Jackson's angel wife gave him a sug- 
gestive look, and in telling me the incident afterwards, he said : 
"I first felt small enough to crawl into an auger-hole, and then 
felt brave enough to fight a whole regiment of black bears, 
and thirteen Campbellites besides." As soon as Bro. Tryon's 
sermon was over he said : "Julia^ I do wish we had our letters 
here; I want to join right now." The angel wife replied: 
"All right; I brought them along in case we might conclude 
to join !" 



720 The Life and Writings of 

They joined; they elected Win. M. Tryon pastor; they 
told Deacon Clough and good Bro. Rucker and the whole 
Campbellite element to go ! That one vote secured by the 
bear story saved the little church at Independence, defeated 
the wiley and fallen T. W. Cox, and made Independence the 
great educational center of Texas for nearly forty years. 

Yet the unthinking world will never understand the im- 
portance of little things, and also that there is often more logic 
in an anecdote or fable than in a learned stupid essay. 

Bro. Jackson and his angel wife saved the church at In- 
dependence. Soon, however, they aided in organizing dear 
old Providence, near his home. He and O. H. P. Garrett and 
Nelson Kavanaugh became deacons and Hosea Garrett pastor. 
Por years it was the strongest country church in Texas. In 
one single revival there were eighty-four conversions. 

There Rev. James H. Stribling was converted and bap- 
tized, and for more than forty years he has been a noble banner 
bearer in every good and great enterprise. There Nelson 
Kavanaugh and his noble wife were converted and baptized, 
and became pillars in our church at Houston and Brenham. 

Bro. Jackson and his angel wife lived to see all Wash- 
ington county dotted with Baptist churches. They raised 
and educated a noble family of sons and daughters, who are 
to-day an honor to their parents and pillars in the Baptist 
cause, wherever they are. It was one of their daughters, Mrs. 
R. J. Sledge, with her noble husband, who said to our aged 
homeless brother, Z. N. Morrell : "Our house is your home." 

I often think of the many times I have seen Brethren A. 
G. Haynes, Tyrel J. Jackson, James Huckins, Nelson Kav- 
anaugh, R. E. B. Baylor, Henry L. Graves, A. C. Horton, 
Robt. Jarman, James R. Jenkins, and others, seated in the 
cool shade of the magnificent live oaks in Bro. Haynes' yard 
in delightful familiar conversation about the cause of Christ 
and Texas and Baylor University. And by faith T see them 
by the rivers of Paradise, under the shade of the tree of life, 
with their noble wives, all shouting : "Saf e at home !" And, 
.like Paul, I am in a strait betwixt the two, having a desire to 
depart and be with them at Jesus' feet, nevertheless it is prof- 
itable for me to abide in the flesh to finish the work they began 
in building up a great Texas Baptist University that shall 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 



721. 



dispense light and knowledge and holiness for a thousand 
vears to come. 



GAIL BORDER, JR. 




GAIL BORDEN. 

Bra. Borden published at San Filipe, in 1835, the first 
newspaper ever printed in Texas, called The Texas Telegraph. 
He and his angel wife were the first persons ever baptized in 
the gulf at Galveston. He was for nearly twenty years dea- 
con and Sabbath school superintendent of the First Baptist 
Church at Galveston. He was the inventor of Borden's con- 
densed milk, now famous around the globe. He was emi- 
nent for child-like simplicity, humility and earnest piety. 
He therefore deserves a place in the ranks of "The Old Guard 
and their Co-Laborers." 

Bro. Borden was born in the State of New York, Novem- 
ber 9th, 1801. In 1814 his father, Gail Borden, Si\, moved 
to the "far West "to grow up with the country," and after re- 
siding a few years in Covington, Ky., he settled in Indiana 
while it was yet a territory. 

Seeking still a milder climate, the whole family moved to 
Pearl River, Miss., in 1824 or 1825. There Brother Borden 



722 v The Life and Writings of 

was so fortunate as to win the heart and hand of the noble 
daughter of Eli Mercer, brother of the celebrated Jesse Mer- 
cer, of Georgia. 

As Texas, the Paradise of the West; was then attracting 
universal attention, and none but persons of high moral char- 
acter were allowed to join Austin's colony, it was believed it 
would become a real paradise. In 1833, Brother Borden, 
with his two brothers, John P. and Paschal, and his father- 
in-law, Eli Mercer, came to Texas, each receiving a league, 
4,428 acres, and a labor 177 acres. They settled near Egypt, 
so called not from its darkness or its pyramids, but for its 
abundant supply of corn always for sale. Brother Borden first 
tried farming, but not succeeding like his father-in-law, wL> 
was a prince among farmers, he became discouraged and 
moved over on the Nanadad river and joined the celebrated 
North Alabama colony composed of the Hinds, the Menaf ees, 
the Southerlands and many others, all intimate friends of my 
father in Morgan county, and noted for their purity, hospital- 
ity, industry and patriotism. In this model community, 
Brother Borden, like B. T. Wheeler, K. E. B. Baylor, J. D. 
Giddings, O. M. Roberts and most great men, taught school 
as the first ascending round in the ladder of fame. 

In 1834 he removed to San Eilipe de Austin, the capital 
of Austin's colony. In this historic town, where Thos. J. 
Pilgrim established the first Sunday school in Texas in 1828, 
Brother Borden and his brother, Thomas, established the first 
Texas newspaper, called The Texas Telegraph. 

The Borden brothers, though 2,000 miles away from a 
telegraph line and dependent for news on fleet telegraphic 
mustangs, made a lively paper, full of all the latest news, 
especially of the fearful, stormy war cloud gathering darkness 
in the West. They kept all Texas informed as to the move- 
ments of Santa Anna in subverting the Republican Constitu- 
tion of 1824 and the repeal of the colonization act, which vio- 
lated the plighted faith of Mexico to the Texans, and the 
brutal imprisonment, in a Mexican dungeon, of the spotless 
and beloved Stephen E. Austin, wholly on account of his fidel- 
ity and devotion to Texas. 

In burning words the Telegraph spread over all Texas 
the return of Stephen F. Austin and his stirring speech, de- 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 723 

livered to a thousand of his devoted fellow-citizens, assembled 
at Brazoria to greet his return and hear the advice of their 
political father and Nestor. It gave a glowing account of the 
glorious victory, October 2, 1835, of the Texans at Gonzales, 
under Colonel John H. Moore, over the Mexican army under 
Castanado, and of the proceedings of the Convention of all 
Texas, assembled at San Felipe, November 3, under the presi- 
dency of Dr. Branch T. Archer. On receiving the thrilling, 
glorious news that the Texan army, under command of Gen- 
eral Burleson, had captured the city of San Antonio, with 
General Cos and the whole Mexican army, a flaming extra 
was issued, giving all the particulars of the undying heroism 
of Ben B. Milam, F. W. Johnson, J. C. Neil and others, with 
the whole terms of the surrender, signed by Gen. Edward Bur- 
leson, Commander of Texas Army; Gen. Cos, Commander of 
Mexican Army. 

This memorable extra is now before me, and was pre- 
sented to me as a family relic by Mrs. Judge Sneed, of Austin,, 
daughter of Gen. Burleson. 

But that faithful sentinel soon telegraphed to all Texas 
that Santa Anna, the Attila of the South, had determined to 
vindicate his title, "The Napoleon of the West," by organiz- 
ing an army of 8,000 veterans, flushed with over twenty vic- 
tories, and swoop down like an eagle on Texas. 

The next Telegraph was that the Alamo had fallen. 
Travis, Bonham, Bowie and Crockett were dead. That 
Fannin and his little army were captured at Collita and 
butchered at Goliad, and that Houston, with his army and all 
Texas, were fleeing before Santa Anna. The editors mounted 
their press in a wagon; just escaped from San Felipe in time 
to look back from the eastern banks of the Brazos and see their 
office and the town burned to ashes. 

But the Telegraph, mounted on a flying mule wagon, 
poured forth its bitter denunciations of tyranny, and its trum- 
pet called all freemen to rush to the rescue and be free or die. 
But the enraged, savage foe captured the faithful sentinel at 
New Washington, threw it into the fire, and then scraped up 
the type and ashes and threw them into the San Jacinto river; 
but, like the bones of the liberty-loving John WicklifTe, when 
burned to ashes and thrown into the rushing stream, con- 



'724 The Life and Writings of 

tinned to thunder against Catholic tyranny and despotism. 
The waves of that San Jacinto, lashing against the shore, in- 
spired the battle cry, "Remember the Alamo," "Remember 
Goliad;" and San Jacinto became the fatal Waterloo to "The 
Napoleon of the West." 

As the town of San Eilipe was burned to ashes and Col- 
umbia was selected as the temporary capital of the new Re- 
public that had sprung into full being, fully armed and 
equipped, like Minerva, from the brain of Jupiter, Brother 
Borden bought a new press and resumed publication at Col- 
umbia as The Texas Telegraph and Star, and continued to 
flood the country with the glorious results of the war and the 
organization of the Republic of Texas, with Gen. Sam Hous- 
ton, President; General M. B. Lamar, Vice-President, and 
Stephen F. Austin as Secretary of State. 

But in the midst of universal rejoicing, the Telegraph 
announced that Stephen F. Austin died December 27, 1836 — 
a man whose name deserves a place on the tablets of undying 
fame by that of Washington, Fabricius, Aristides and Epami- 
nondas. Austin lived to see the little company of fourteen 
persons with whom he crossed the Brazos on New Year's day, 
1822, form into a heroic Republic of 60,000 people in four- 
teen years. 

Brother Borden, becoming deeply interested in the ris- 
ing fortunes of G-alveston, sold his Telegraph and Star to Dr. 
Francis Moore, who removed it to Houston, and, under the 
editorial supervision of Dr. Moore and E. H. Cushing, has 
exerted a powerful influence in shaping the destiny of Texas. 
Who can ever estimate the power of Brother Borden's press 
in that dark and trying hour, and yet how strange how few edi- 
tors or historians of Texas ever even refer to it. As the world 
grows wiser, men will learn "the pen is mightier than the 
sword," and that the man who moulds the sentiments of men 
is entitled to as much praise as the man who moulds the bullets. 

Brother Borden became a large real estate owner in G-al- 
veston in 1837, and for nearly twenty years held the highly 
responsible office of Secretary of the Gralveston City Company. 

There he and his noble wife were converted and baptized, 
in 1840, by the great pioneer missionary sent to Texas by the 
$2,500 given by Jesse Mercer for the Texas Mission, who, 



Dr. Ruftts C. Burleson. 725- 

as a far-seeing divine and philosopher, saw the coming great- 
ness and glory of Texas. 

Brother Borden and wife were baptized on a beantiful 
Sabbath evening, just before sundown. The whole village,, 
estimated at 1,500 or 2,000 persons, assembled on the beach 
to witness an ordinance so solemn and so beautiful, now ad- 
ministered for the first time in Galveston. A talented and 
devout Presbyterian lady gave me a glowing description of it 
in 1848, as the most impressive scene she ever beheld. She 
said that Mrs. Borden's face, as she came up out of the gulf, 
was so radiant with joy and devotion, and seemed to be the 
countenance of an angel. Oh, what a change from the time 
when those waves were lashed and agitated by the dashing 
ships and roaring cannon of the pirate, La Fitte, and his bloody 
men, who made Galveston their home till expelled by Commo- 
dore Kearney in 1821. For nearly twenty years Brother 
Borden served the First Baptist Chuch as a zealous deacon and 
Sabbath school worker, often under the greatest discourage- 
ment. 

There I first met him in 1848 in a great revival. His 
angel wife, whose praise was on all lips, had been called home, 
and he had married again, yet his love and zeal were untiring. 
He led the choir, he led in prayer meetings, he superintended 
the Sunday school; indeed, was city Sunday school missionary 
for poor children and for strangers. His joy to see his preci- 
ous daughter, Miss Phila, since Mrs. Johnson, and son, Lee, 
and scores of others, converted, was unbounded. 

His countenance, so radiant with smiles and tears of joy 
thirty-nine years ago, has never been effaced from my mem- 
ory. And yet every rose has a thorn; no joy on earth is un- 
mixed. And I remember with sadness the pain I was com- 
pelled to inflict on one I loved so well. Brother Huckins had 
baptized Brother Borden, but had not obeyed that great com- 
mand after baptism, "to teach them all things." Brother 
Huckins, like most men brought up under the shadow of 
Plymouth Bock, was not an old Landmark Baptist — did not 
"contend earnestly for the faith," and had never explained 
Baptist faith and Bible doctrine. I was astonished at the utter 
ignorance of people of rare intelligence about Baptist practice 
and history. 



726 The Life and Writings of 

Two devout Presbyterian ladies of great intelligence, 
when I announced that at the 3 o'clock service ''we would 
open the door of the church for the reception of a number of 
young converts/' came and asked the privilege of attending, 
as they supposed the door of the church house would only be 
opened for those who wished to join. 

Another man objected seriously to Baptist "close com- 
munion/' for, said he, the bread and wine are to show forth 
the Lord's death, and I don't believe we ought to close the 
doors at communion. And I actually met people that thought 
Roger Williams founded the Baptist Church and others that 
Baptists originated with the Anabaptists of Germany. They 
had never learned that Christ founded the Baptist Church 
when He said, "Thou art Peter, and on this rock I will build 
my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it, 
neither shall it be destroyed nor given to another people" — ■ 
Matt. 16:18, Dan. 2:44 — and that Heaven and earth could 
pass away sooner than that promise could fail, and that church 
history demonstrates, as Sir Isaac Newton and others have 
shown, has never failed. 

I saw a special obligation was laid upon me to teach the 
young converts baptized to observe all things, as Jesus com- 
manded. 

Hence, when the vast throngs crowded around our bap- 
tismal waters, I explained baptism clearly, boldly and "in 
love." 

Our dear Brother Borden was alarmed. He said, "Oh, 
my dear brother, you will offend the Pedobaptists and ruin 
our meeting., Brother Huckins never did preach on baptism, 
and he was the most popular preacher, with everybody, ever 
in Galveston." I assured him that I would deeply regret to 
annoy any child of God, but that Jesus commanded "to teach 
young converts all things," to contend earnestly for the faith, 
and that as God's witnesses we were bound to tell the truth 
and the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. He came 
to me finally with the proposition that as I had already 
preached Baptist doctrine enough, to turn our glorious re- 
vival into a union meeting, and invite Rev. Dr. S. Henderson, 
the Presbyterian pastor, and Rev. J. M. Wesson, the Metho- 
dist pastor, who were attending the meetings daily, to join us 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 727 

in a union meeting, and preach nothing but Christ, and not 
say one word about baptism. I assured him no living man 
could preach Jesus and leave out the first act of His public 
life in the river Jordan and His last command as He ascended 
on Mt. Olivet. And that union meetings generally ended in 
strife and disunion and sectarian warfare, so much to he la- 
mented; that I never had held a union meeting, and never 
would; that I had no doubt Elders Henderson and Wesson 
were noble Christian gentlemen, and I would rejoice to have 
aid, but with the distinct understanding it was a Baptist meet- 
ing, and if I aided them in a meeting, I would understand it 
was their meeting; that on this plan every man could preach 
his own doctrine plainly and tenderly, and give no reasonable 
ground of offense. By pursuing that plan, Elders Henderson 
and Wesson and I have been lifelong, devoted friends. By 
pursuing this for nearly forty years, I have lived in love with 
the greatest and best men in all the denominations, without 
ever compromising a single iota of Baptist or Bible doctrine. 

But Brother Borden, like very many other devoted 
Christians, had never been taught the grand Bible, philosophic 
truth that Christianity or religion has a body, a form, as well 
as a spirit; that there is one body as well as one 
Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism. And while 
the body is never as important as the Spirit, yet it is neces- 
sary to enable the Spirit to accomplish its mission on earth. 
The casket is not so valuable as the jewel, but every jewel 
should have a casket; and the costliest perfume is wasted 
without a vase. Our pious Pedobaptist friends have the soul 
of religion without the body. Our Campbellite friends, I 
fear, have often the body or form of religion without the soul, 
but a genuine, old-fashion Bible Baptist has the body and soul 
of religion united in one body; and not a body or form of his 
own, that he can neglect or change, but that very body, that 
very form that Jesus selected 1887 years ago, and was so 
beautiful and so simple that an angel said, "Come, behold; I 
will show the bride the Lamb's wife." 

Brother Borden never had been taught the beautiful and 
sublime truth, like thousands of good meaning Christians are 
ready to say, 

For modes of faith let graceless bigots fight: 
Those can't be wrong who act within the right. 



728 The Life and Writings of 

This mistake has introduced all the strife and confusion 
in the Christian world, and if ever carried out fully, would 
drive Christianity from the earth. 

Baptists, as God's witnesses on earth, should guard against 
these delusive errors with great firmness and tenderness. 

From Brother Borden's standpoint, he saw no inconsist- 
ency, when he moved to J\ T ew York and the Baptists did not 
treat him cordially, because he owned slaves in Texas, he 
joined the Congregationalists. But in all times and places 
and changes, he was an earnest, devout Christian worker. As 
a church member and deacon, Brother Borden was eminently 
faithful and tender. 

His conscientiousness was equal to his piety and tender- 
heartedness. 

I was his guest for several days when he was a witness in 
an important suit in which Galveston City Company was 
largely interested. He trembled under the fearful responsi- 
bility. One morning I was walking in a retired part of his 
large fig orchard and heard a low voice agonizing in supplica- 
tions. Supposing Brother Borden was at the court house, I 
drew near to see who it could be, and there, in sweat and tears, 
was Brother Borden, imploring divine aid to enable him to 
so give his testimony as to honor God and his profession as a 
Christian and good citizen. 

I was greatly rejoiced, the next day, to hear a lawyer on 
the opposite side say: "Mr. Borden's testimony, under the 
critical, trying circumstances, was the clearest and most satis- 
factory I ever heard." But the greatest achievement of life, 
and that which has extended his name around the globe and 
perpetuated his fame for ages to come, is Borden's Condensed 
Milk. 

A great philosopher said a man who discovers a new 
article of food or invents a new, healthy dish, is a greater 
benefactor than he who discovers a new planet or a new solar 
system. This simple and wonderful invention of Brother 
Borden condenses all the essential, nutritious properties of 
sweet milk, so as to preserve it fresh for years or ship it to the 
remotest ends of the earth, and so cheap that the humblest 
family can buy it. 



Dr. Ruftis C. Bttrlesox. 729 

The origin of the wonderful discovery was as simple as 
the falling of that apple that led Newton to discover the law 
of gravitation in the solar universe. 

Brother Borden had been tormented all his life with a 
passion for invention. He had wasted $60,000 in a fruitless 
effort to invent a a wind wagon/ 7 or a wagon to be run by sails 
propelled by wind alone; and condensed meal and meal bis- 
cuit, etc., etc. The last hobby failed, the last hope of a great 
invention had fled, and Brother Borden was dying from sheer 
gloom and melancholy. His old and devoted friend, without 
a single hope of success, but simply to preserve the life of a 
gentle, noble spirit, showed him a slip cut from a French 
newspaper, showing that a French scientist was endeavoring 
to invent a plan to condense. This bare announcement aroused 
all his inventive genius and restored his vigor. Soon he dis- 
covered his wonderful plan that condensed milk and kept it 
fresh, and thus furnished the whole earth with a most healthy 
and nutritious diet. 

This invention made him a millionaire and pays his 
heirs annually a royalty on his patent of $100,000. 

It is a beautiful and fitting coincidence that a man so 
full of the milk of human kindness should have discovered a 
plan for supplying the world with fresh, sweet milk. 

Brother Borden died at Borden, on the Sunset Railway, 
ten miles west of Columbus, Texas, January 10, 1874, about 
thirty miles of the place near Egypt, where he settled in 1829, 
just forty-five years before. His remains were carried back 
to his native State and buried in the family burial ground, 
forty or fifty miles from the city of New York. 

Thus lived and thus died Brother Gail Borden, Jr. — a 
man simple as a child, loving as a woman, devout as a martyr. 



DEACON THOS. J. PILGRIM. 

Thos. J. Pilgrim, as the father of Texas Sunday Schools, 
as a life-long Sabbath-school worker, as a trustee of Gonzales 
College, as a faithful deacon of Gonzales Church, was a zealous 
co-laborer of the Old Guard for a half a hundred years, from 



730 The Life and Writings of 

1827 to 1875. T. J. Pilgrim was all that his name implied, 
eminent for his purity, his patriotism and devotion to God. 

He was born in Middlesex, Conn., December 19, 1805, 
and died at Gonzales, Texas, October 29, 1877. He was de- 
scended from the genuine old Pilgrim Fathers of the May- 
flower. He was early converted and baptized, and, burning 
with a desire to be useful, his church persuaded him that he 
ought to preach, and gave him license to use his gifts publicly 
wherever God in His providence might cast his lot. 

He was sent to that grand old school of the prophets, 
Madison University, the Alma Mater of over one hundred 
missionaries; then Hamilton College. 

Brother Pilgrim's health failing from over-study, his 
physicians and friends advised him to seek health in the 
Sunny South. The glorious description given by the sainted 
murdered La Salle in 1687, and by that noble old son of 
Connecticut, Moses Austin, in 1820, had induced an immense 
tide of immigration to Texas, fitly called by the Comanches, 
Tehas or Paradise. And God who was preparing great things 
for Texas, directed the steps of young Pilgrim to join Stephen 
F. Austin's immortal three hundred families. It may be well 
to explain here a thing shamefully misunderstood about the 
early Texans. For the question will naturally arise, "Why 
did so saintly a man as Thos. J. Pilgrim join such a band of 
outlaws and cut-throats as the early Texans?" I answer that 
such a question is based upon a vile slander on our heroic 
founders, and has not a word of truth in it. Let it never be 
forgotten that the Mexicans, utterly disgusted with the fili- 
bustering spirit in 1789, in 1805-7, and 1812, in 1819— 
dreaded nothing on earth as much as a lawless, fighting, de- 
moralized people. Hence they determined to allow none to 
purchase property but pure men of high moral character who 
would become peaceable citizens, as farmers and stockmen. In 
pursuing this fixed policy, they rejected $5,000,000 offered, 
according to tradition, by the infidel, Robert Owen, for all the 
land lying between the Brazos and Colorado rivers, and from 
the Gulf to Burleson and Bastrop counties, because, he stated, 
that in this country there was to be no Sunday, no Bible, no 
preacher, no individual property and no God. And the great 
infidel was forced to invest his millions at New Harmony, on 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 731 

the Wabash, in Indiana;, to test the folly of his communistic 
infidel theory of government. 

The Mexican government not only scorned the infidel's 
gold, but made Moses Austin and his son, Stephen P., lay their 
hands on the Holy Bible and kissing the sign of the cross, 
swear they would bring no person to Texas that was not of high 
moral character, and a firm believer in God and his holy 
word and Sabbath. And to make the matter more certain, in 
their esteem they sent Rev. (Padre) Muldoon, an Irish-Catholic 
priest in Mexico to go around and re-marry every emigrant for 
$16 a couple, and to baptize their children for $2.50 a head. 
A distinguished cousin of mine paid in 1827 $33.50 to get re- 
married and to have his seven children baptized. So that our 
Catholic father made literally as many silver dollars as his 
pack-mule could carry. The Mexicans, in order to secure a 
farming and stock raising people, gave every head of a family 
one league of land, and a labor, for farming land, provided it 
was stocked and put in cultivation in six years. Under these 
rigid restrictions and with the great inducements the 300 
families that Stephen F. Austin first brought, and the 1,200 
families he afterwards brought were composed of the cream 
and chivalry and purity of the South and JSTorth, and among 
these was our devoted Brother Pilgrim. And the colonists 
brought out by DeWitt, Mercer, Robertson and others were 
of the same general order. And I doubt whether the same 
number of families ever contained more educated, refined and 
heroic men and women, and more college graduates. They 
were God-sent men to lay the foundation of the grandest State 
between the oceans. And the Omniscient Being makes no mis- 
takes in His agents. 

But the question still will arise, how did Texas get such 
a terrible name as the home of cut-throats, runaways and 
thieves. When did so many criminal court dockets and so 
many merchants' books bristle with those symbolic letters, ''Q. 
T. T." — Gone to Texas. All this was a later date, and in the 
dark days of revolution. 

Mexico, becoming jealous of the power and prosperity of 
Texas, rescinded her colonization laws, and resolved to place 
a military despotism over those they had promised civil free- 
dom. It was the jealousy of Don Salcedo, who swore if it was 



732 The Life and Writings of 

possible lie would prevent the very birds from the United 
States from flying over Texas. This old Spanish hate of for- 
eigners bred in their wars with the Moors flamed out as soon 
as they had attained their grand desire of planting a U. S. col- 
ony as a bulwark between them and the dreaded Comanches, 
Wacoes and Kickapoos. Let it never be forgotten that when 
Mexico broke her plighted faith and resolved to enslave her 
Texan colonists, ' then arose the fight for existence. Then 
Texas had to open wide her doors and invite aid from every 
man who could fire a gun or wield a sword. In this wild, un- 
settled state some of the worst men of all the States flocked to 
Texas. 

Some of them fugitives from justice and debts, some from 
a love of excitement and some from a desire to aid a struggling 
band of 60,000 patriots against 8,000,000 Mexicans and 750 
miles of Indian frontier. After this wild excitement died away 
and these people ended their mission in Texas, the gold fever 
of California in 1849 drained them utterly, so that' Texas, 
from 1822 to 1835, and from 1849 to 1887, has been blessed 
with as law-abiding people as was ever found in any new 
State from Massachusetts to California. 

After this digression, vindicating the noble founders of 
Texas and the bosom friends of Brother Pilgrim, I return with 
great pleasure to the noble part he acted. As soon as ha 
landed at San Filipe, in 1827, he accepted a position as a 
teacher of the children of the Mexican Hidalgos. As a super- 
ior Latin scholar, as fellow student of that prince of scholars,. 
Dr. A. C. Ivendrick, lie soon became a profound master of the 
Spanish language, which, to the day of his death he loved to 
read on account of its melody and sweetness. He aided Stephen 
Austin, a graduate of Transylvania "University, Ky., in trans- 
lating the laws of Mexico into English. 

He became the most eminent teacher in the colony, ami 
Hon. James H. Bell, the first white child born west of the 
Brazos, and Col. Moses Austin Bryan, and Hon. Guy M. 
Bryan, perchance the purest of all our Texas statesmen, and 
many others, were his students. But his pure and profound 
soul felt that nothing but the Bible and its holy teachings- 
could ever form the basis of personal and political greatness. 
Hence he founded in his little log-cabin school house at San 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 733 

Eilipe the first Sabbath-school ever known west of Sabine, and 
«every Sabbath morning he sought to lead his students and the 
young people of the town to Jesus. What a sublime picture ! 
Thus our heroic brother inscribed on the foundation stone of 
Texas greatness, Sabbath-schools. And may the last cap-stone, 
when brought forth with shouting, "Grace, grace, grace, unto 
God," have emblazoned on it Sabbath-schools. And for fifty 
years he was the same ardent friend of Sabbath-schools. Indeed 
he was so ardently devoted to his Sunday-school, and in his 
shrinking modesty he could not be induced to leave home to 
attend our general meetings for Missions, Education and Col- 
portage. He married Miss Sarah J. Bennett in 1841. 





THE FIRST SUNDAY SCHOOL IN TEXAS. 

In 184:0 he settled in Gonzales and engaged in banking 
and farming. In 1854 I visited him for the first time during 
the called session of the Baptist State Convention. It was a 
treat never to be forgotten. Rev. las. H. Stribling was pastor 
and Thos. J. Pilgrim was superintendent of the Sunday 
School. Everything, even the songs, the calling of the rolls, 
bore the impress of a gentle Christlike spirit. Oh that Texas 
had 1,000 such Sunday Schools, and 1,000 such preachers and 
superintendents. And I do believe that the little seed planted 
by our sainted Brother Pilgrim 60 years ago at San Eilipe, 
will grow up into a mighty tree whose branches shall spread 



734 The Life and Writings of 

from the Gulf to the Ked Kiver, and from Sabine 
to the Rio Grande, and the children of all Texas 
shall sit down under its shade and learn of Jesus and 
Salvation. Brother Pilgrim was not only devoted to Sunday 
Schools, but as a deacon he was ever a great aid to his pastor,, 
the poor and the stranger. He was also devoted to all the in- 
terests of his town and country. His toils, his great zeal and 
sacrifices for Gonzales College were worthy of the student of 
his illustrious teacher, Dr. Nathaniel Kendrick. Like a true 
pilgrim wherever he traveled he carried his religion with 
him. In 1845 he visited Houston on business of great and 
pressing importance, but hearing that there was a meeting at 
the church at 4 o'clock he dropped all and went (or rather 
God sent him) to the prayer meeting. For to his surprise there 
were seven Baptist sisters gathered to counsel and pray that 
God would send them a pastor to revive the work so nobly 
begun there by Brother Huckins. That prayer meeting re- 
sulted in calling the great and good Tryon and the glorious 
work following in 1849. He came to Galveston where Brother 
Noah Hill and I were making a life and death struggle for a 
revival. He had only one day to spend in the city and a great 
land interest was pressing upon him. Yet he found time to 
come to our rescue, and lend to our aid his great social in- 
fluence and to pray for mourners and point them to Jesus. 
After this toiling on for Jesus in Texas for half a hundred 
years, Jesus said : "It is enough, come up higher." But as the 
angels on their snowy wings bore him home he cast his eyes 
back on his weeping loved ones and his beloved Texas. Oh 
what changes could he behold. Instead of one little Sabbath 
School which he founded in 1827 he saw more than 4,000 
Sabbath Schools in all denominations. Instead of one poor old 
preacher, Elder Bays, he could see more than 1,200 Baptist 
preachers. Instead of the Egyptian darkness and Catholic 
superstitution that surrounded his little goshen he saw 1,000 
Baptist churches and Sunday Schools — as great lighthouse 
extending from Galveston to Denison, and from Marshall to 
El Paso. Instead of a little colony of 309 families surrounded 
by 60,000 Indians and 8,000,000 Mexicans, he saw an empire 
State with nearly 2,000,000 souls destined to eclipse the glory 
of old Virginia and the old empire State of New York. 



Dr. Ruftts C. Burleson. 735 

Methinks, his angel mother and his grand old teacher, 
Dr. Kendrick, and the sainted Tryon and Huckins and- Bay- 
lor and Hill, all gathered on the shores of Paradise to greet 
his coming. And Jesus smiling said "well done good and 
faithful servant enter into the joys of thy Lord." 



MRS. DICKENSON. 
The Heroine of the Alamo. 

The Heroine of the Alamo and her husband, Lieutenant 
Dickenson, were born in Pennsylvania and brought up in the 
"City of Brotherly Love." But when the cry came from 60,- 
000 Texans, struggling for freedom against 8,000,000 Mexi- 
cans, Lieutenant Dickenson said, "I must respond to freedom's 
call." His young wife said, "I will go with you my husband." 
He came, enlisted and was made lieutenant in the immortal 
band of Captain William Barrett Travis, a young and dashing 
cavalier from Alabama. It will be remembered that General 
Cos and the whole Mexican army sent to subjugate Texas, 
after a siege of five weeks, surrendered on December 5, 1824, 
to General Edward Burleson, the commander. General Burle- 
son paroled them on honor to retire across the Bio Grande and 
never to bear arms against Texas. It was earnestly hoped that, 
the Texans having driven the last armed Mexican from the 
soil, Texas would be let alone. But Santa Anna, maddened 
by the inglorious defeat of his armies by a handful of Texans, 
at once resolved that he would gather fresh laurels by swoop- 
ing down on Texas and driving the hated Anglo Saxons from 
Texas and dividing their land, and property among his soldiers 
and generals. At the head of 8,000 veterans, 1,000 of whom 
were Gautemalian Indians, he came hungry for his prey. 
Their leader victorious in more than thirty battles, expected 
to see the Tsxans flee like doves or swans before the king of 
birds. He confidently expected to return to the halls of 
Montezuma flushed with victory in less than two months. But 
hoAV true it is that "a haughty spirit goeth before destruction." 
The Texas patriots assembled at Washington on the Brazos 
in the store house of Rev. ISToah T. Byars, and declared Texas 



736 The Life and Writings of 

forever free from Mexico, and re-appointed General Sam 
Houston commander-in-chief, and summoned every Texan 
able to shoulder a gun to rush to the front. 

General Houston havdng learned war under General 
Andrew Jackson, at the battles of the Horse Shoe and New 
Orleans, saw at once with his eagle eye that Goliad and San 
Antonio were too far away from his base of supplies to be held 
against such a general as Santa Anna. Therefore he ordered 
Fannin and Travis to blow up the fortification and fall back 
to Gonzales or La Grange, but those heroic men, Tannin, 
Travis, Bonham, Bowie, Crockett, Dickenson, and others, 
regarding retreat worse than death, virtually disobeyed the 
ciders of the commanding general. 

Travis and his 150, recruited soon after by thirty-two 
from Gonzales, retired within the strongly fortified walls of 
the Alamo, and had emblazoned on their banner, "God and 
Liberty, Victory or Death. " 

On the 22nd of February, just two and one-half months 
after the disgraceful surrender of General Cos, Santa Anna 
with the van guard of 8,000 veterans encamped around the 
Alamo and demanded an immediate and unconditional sur- 
render. That insolent summons was answered with cannon 
shot and defiant shouts. Santa Anna immediately raised the 
blood red flag of death. Then commenced that fearful siege 
of thirteen days and nights, that, if it were possible, atoned for 
disobeying orders. During these thirteen days and nights our 
Heroine of the Alamo displayed a courage that eclipsed the 
heroism of the Spartan mothers. For though her little 
daughter was only six weeks old, she cooked the food, pre- 
pared the bandages, washed and bound up the wounds, and 
by her words and heroic bearing cheered on the soldiers. What 
mother on earth ever was called to listen alternately to the 
roar of the cannon and the groans of the dying and the pitiful 
-cry of her innocent babe ? She saw the gashed bosom of her 
husband pouring out his life blood. She caught his dying 
accent : 

"God bless you, wife, I am dying; take care of our babe." 
She has often told me of that solemn hour when the heroic 
Travis drew a long line with his sword and said, "Eow soldiers, 
every man that is resolved never to surrender, but if need be 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 737 

to die fighting, let him cross over this line/ 7 and the 182 
heroes leaped over the line at once. But the heroic Bowie, 
lying on his pallet of straw emaciated with consumption, 
could not stand up, but cried aloud, "Boys, do take me over 
that line, for I intend to die fighting/ 7 and his companions 
carried him over amid the wildest shouts of applause. 

But on that fatal Sabbath morning, March 6, 1836, just 
.as the church and convent bells were calling the devout to 
prayer by the command of the infuriated Santa Anna, 5,000 
men, with booming cannon, muskets and with crow-bars, and 
scaling ladders, rushed with fiendish yells from all directions 
•on the emblaekened walls of the Alamo. 

The heroic band, worn out with thirteen days and nights 
•of watching and fighting, and now reduced to about 100, with 
god-like courage met and with deadly fire held back their as- 
sailants for the first and second time, but the common soldiers, 
goaded on by the shouts of their commanders and the spurs of 
the cavalry drawn up behind them, climbed up the scaling 
ladders and G-eneral Filisola says "tumbled like sheep over the 
walls/' while others battered down the doors and broke 
through the walls. 

Our Heroine, with a mother's instinct pressed her inno- 
cent babe to her bosom and silently gazed upon a scene of hor- 
ror that no tongue, pen or pencil can ever describe. The holy 
place which had echoed with songs and praises for more than 
100 years now resounds with the deadly shot of guns and 
pistols, and the groans of the wounded and dying, while every 
spot is swimming in human gore. Oh, what a scene for a 
mother and innocent babe to look upon ! Methinks the* 
guardian angels of that innocent babe as they looked upon that 
•sea of blood and smoke, and those groaning dying men, were 
almost constrained to fly away, shouting, "These are not men 
but devils, this is not earth, but hell, and the leader is not 
Santa Anna, but Satan." Yet men call war glorious and call 
such butchers as Alexander, Caesar, Napoleon and Santa 
Anna, heroes. 

It is high time for every Christian to send up one united 
prayer to the Father of mercies: "Oh God, scatter thou the 
nation that delighteth in war. Hasten the time when men 

47 



738 The Life and "Writings of 

shall beat their swords into plow-shares and learn war no- 
more." 

At 12 o'clock of that beautiful Sabbath day the bright 
sun looked down upon the dead bodies of the 182 heroes of the 
Alamo who had eclipsed the glory of Leonidas and his im- 
mortal 300 at Thermopylae. 

At twilight's solemn hour our Heroine with a woman's 
instinct took her babe in her arms and a pitcher of water, and 
visited the bleeding soldiers to see if any dying hero needed a 
cup of cold water or wished to send some message of love to 
mother or wife or sister, far away. She found the dead bodies 
of Travis, Bonham and Bowie, all weltering in blood. She 
found Crockett lying dead in a little confessional room in the 
Northeast corner of the Alamo, with a huge pile of dead Mexi- 
cans lying around him. 

The horrors and outrages of that night exceeded in black- 
ness the horrors of the day. But let them not blacken the 
pages of history but remain hid till the Judgment Day, when 
God will have them and all the dark deeds of earth painted 
and hung up in the Judgment halls to rebuke the folly of those 
men who say there ought to be no hell. 

On Monday morning, March 7th, mounted spies who had 
lingered on the outskirts of San Antonio to give aid to any 
flying fugitive, sped away to bear the dreadful news to the 
Texan army at Gonzales. General Houston had not arrived 
and the wildest confusion prevailed. General Burleson, seeing 
that a fearful panic might follow and, though a plain unedu- 
cated man, made a speech that fired every patriot's bosom. 
In that memorable speech he used for the first time those burn- 
ing words so often quoted : 

"Thermopylae had her messenger of defeat, the Alamo 
has none and if Santa Anna conquers let no Texan soldier ever 
cross the Sabine as the messenger of our defeat." 

The dastard, Santa Anna had sent Mrs. Dickenson 
mounted on a mule "with a baby in her arms, both sprinkled 
with blood as a messenger of the defeat and bloody butchery 
of the Alamo. He hoped thereby to strike terror to all 
Texans. 

As she rode into the Texan encampment hundreds of" 
eager men gathered around her. The first word she uttered 



Dr. Kuftts C. Burleson. 73 £ 

was "They all died fighting for liberty as every true Texan 
should die." As strong, rough men looked upon that mother 
and her little babe all sprinkled with blood, and heard her 
brave words, they sobbed aloud and cried ''Revenge or death." 
And "Remember the Alamo" became the battle cry. And 
how certain is the vengeance of God. 

Just forty-six days from the bloody butchery of the 
Alamo we see the dastard, Santa Anna fleeing terror stricken 
from the plain of San Jacinto while the shout "Remember 
the Alamo, remember Goliad" strikes terror to his heart. He 
arrives at Vince's bridge but Deaf Smith has cut it down. He 
plunges his foaming war horse into the muddy Bayou. He 
abandons his noble animal to die in the bog. That night he 
climbs up a live oak covered with long moss, to evade his 
pursuers and the howling wolves. Oh what horrors the night 
brings to his guilty soul ! As if to complete his humiliation 
the next day he is captured and carried into the Texas camp 
riding behind the heroic boy, Sylvester, mounted on just such 
a mule as the one on which he sent Mrs. Dickenson into the 
Texan camp just forty-six days before. But oh how different 
his reception. For no sooner than the captured Mexicans 
shout "El Presidente, El Presidente, de Santa Anna," 500 
Texans raised the shout "Kill him ! hang him ! He murdered 
my son ! my father ! my brother ! at the Alamo ! at Goliad I 
Remember the Alamo, remember Goliad ! 

I first met the Heroine of the Alamo under very remark- 
able circumstances. I had been preaching in Houston about 
a year when some of my flock became displeased with my 
efforts to save the fallen, and crowd the church with plebians. 
It was whispered in my ear that we then had the largest con- 
gregation in the city, and could have the most fashionable if 
I would not bring in the rabble. I advertised that I would 
preach a sermon on the mission of the church from this text : 
"I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. I 
came to save that which is lost." The whole house and aisles 
and gallery were all crowded with eager listeners. After the 
sermon I came down and standing in front of the pulpit I 
asked the whole church to join me in prayer that God would 
save the worst sinners in Houston to demonstrate the wisdom 
and power of Christ to save. 



i 



740 The Life and Writings of 

The vast congregation silently retired, deeply impressed 
with the great theme and glorious mission of the church. The 
next "Wednesday night at prayer meeting I saw five or six per- 
sons weeping under deep conviction, and then, according to my 
custom, I invited all who wanted to be saved to come forward 
for special prayer. 

Among those who came forward with tears and peniten- 
tial sobs, was Mrs. Dickenson, who had become Mrs. Bells. 
She was nominally a member of the Episcopal Church, but 
with many tears she said she never knew anything about her 
lost condition or the true mission of the church, till she heard 
that sermon on Sunday night. I visited her at her home, and 
wept and prayed with her. I found her a great bundle of un- 
tamed passions, devoted in her love and bitter in her hate. 
After many tears and prayers and religious instruction, she 
was joyfully converted. In less than two months her change 
was so complete as to be observed by all her neighbors. At 
least 1,500 people crowded the Banks of Buffalo Bayou on 
Sabbath evening to see her baptized. During all my pastorate 
in Houston, and especially during the cholera epidemic, she 
was a zealous co-laborer of mine in every good work. When- 
ever she did wrong, especially in giving way to passion, she 
would confess and weep over it. 

Their daughter, the babe of the Alamo, whose infant eyes 
looked upon the horrors of the Alamo, grew up to womanhood 
full of life, and fun and frolic. Under the well-meant, pious 
persuasions of her mother, she married a good, honest, hard- 
working Baptist man from the country. When I performed 
the marriage ceremony, I shuddered to see two such uncon- 
genial spirits united in marriage. Marriages for money, for 
position, for convenience, or from parental persuasion, are 
often fearful mistakes. Marriage should never be from any- 
thing but real love, springing from the heart, guided by the 
head and limited by conscience. When people marry where 
they do not love, they are apt to love where they have not 
married. Soon the vivacious city girl got tired of her country 
home and her amiable, plodding husband. Alienations, re- 
pinings and divorce followed. The mother's heart bled over 
the ruin of her child's happiness. The unhappy daughter 
-drifted off to JSTew Orleans. The mother, with her undying 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 741 

love, followed the daughter, who soon after died with yellow 
fever. Years rolled away. I heard the mother, too, had died 
in New Orleans. But one night during a great revival in 
Austin, in 1862, conducted by W.¥. Harris and myself, I 
saw much weeping in the rear of the church. When I asked 
all to come forward who had been converted, and who had 
once been members of the church, and had grown cold and 
wandered away, and now wanted to return to the path of duty, 
to my astonishment I saw the stalwart form moving up the 
aisle that I saw moving up the aisle in Houston, in 1849. 
Grasping my hand, she said : ''Erring and wayward, but still 
struggling to do right and serve my Redeemer." I called on 
her next day, and learned that in New Orleans she had married 
a most; worthy and industrious man, a Mr. Hannig, and he had 
been sent by Jeff Davis to establish a work shop for manufac- 
turing munitions of war. I saw but little of her for many 
years, but learn that in her worldly prosperity she never for- 
got her baptismal vows. 

I had promised to call and spend a day with her on my 
return from the Baptist State Convention, in 1883, but on 
my way I learned she was dead. Oh ! how sadly I was disap- 
pointed ! There were many things I wanted to talk over and 
write up. I am rejoiced to know she died happy in Jesus and 
respected and beloved by all who knew her. Thus lived and 
died the Heroine of the Alamo, whose tragic history and 
wonderful conversion are so full of marvelous events and so 
rich in material for reflection. 



REV. MARTIN V. SMITH. 

Brother Martin Van Buren Smith was born in Lawrence 
district, South Carolina, June 16, 1837. His father, Jno. 
Smith, was a devoted Baptist and patriot and his mother was 
an active member of the Church. They moved to Mississippi 
and settled near Pontotoc where their son, Martin, spent three 
years in school under that noble teacher, Prof. B. R. Webb. 

Like most of the boys and girls, with bright intellect, 
he was allowed to give his whole time and energy to study to 
the entire neglect of health. The result was in three years his 



742 The Life and Writings of 

constitution was injured for life. The loving father saw the 
mistake and kept him on the farm for five years. 

In 1850 the family moved to Texas, and settled near 
Palestine. In 1852 young Martin, who had long felt the 
importance of religion, was converted, and was baptized by 
Rev. John H. Rowland. Immediately after his conversion 
and baptism he began to feel "woe is me if I preach not the 
gospel." He was so exceedingly modest and timid he shrank 
from the fearful responsibility of preaching the gospel to lost 
souls. But the conviction became so intense that he was 
called of God to preach. He determined to prepare for the 
great work, and entered school in September after his conver- 
sion in July. He was two years a beloved student of the Rev. 
J. E. V. Covey and his noble, brilliant wife, who have edu- 
cated so many young ladies and gentlemen, especially in West- 
ern Texas. It was while he was in school with Bro. Covey I 
first saw him in Texas. 

In 1855 the church at Palestine licensed him to preach, 
when he was eighteen years old. I immediately wrote him 
an affectionate letter, telling him how rejoiced I was to hear 
that he had entered the ministry, and urged him to press on 
in his preparation; that Texas and the world needed great 
preachers to combat sin and Satan. I invited him to enter 
Baylor University, but he answered, thanking me for my 
encouragement and generous offer, and said he had made 
favorable arrangements with Rev. J. R, Malone to enter his 
school at Mound Prairie, and pay his board and tuition by 
teaching part of the time. He continued this arrangement 
for two years, teaching and studying during the week, and 
preaching on Sunday to destitute- churches. In 1858, after 
much hesitancy and shrinking from the great responsibility, 
he submitted to ordination by the urgent request of churches 
that desired him as pastor. The ordaining presbytery con- 
sisted of Elders G. W. Bains, J. R. Malone, D. B. Morrill and 
Newell Grain. In 1859 he settled at Bellvue, and preached 
to churches in Rusk and Smith counties. In 1861 the raging 
storms of secession and the Confederate war swept over the 
South, and her most heroic sons rushed into the army. Brother 
Smith was induced to become Captain of a company of young 
men, hoping thereby to exert a saving influence over the sons 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 743 

■of his devoted friends and brethren. He did gallant service 
for two years, preaching every Sunday and discharging the 
onerous duties of his office. He found his health was sinking 
under these arduous duties. And finding a noble young man 
who would take his place, he resigned, and accepted the more 
congenial appointment of army missionary under East Texas 
Baptist Convention. Scores of soldiers were converted under 
his preaching, and he organized the first church in the Con- 
federate army, and continued the glorious work until the war 
closed. In 1863, on a visit to his parents, he found a lovely 
young lady, Miss Cornelia Camp, daughter of John Camp, of 
Grimes County, who was brave enough to marry a chaplain in 
the army. And in 1863 they became loving partners for life, 
Rev. Z. "N. Morrell sealing the holy marriage vows. When 
the war closed in 1865 he settled in Navasota, and preached 
to the neighboring churches and taught school for one year. 

But the horrid reign of radical reconstruction robbed the 
people of their money, and they were not able to pay tuition. 
Our heroic brother, like Paul, "labored with his own hands" 
at the carpenter's trade for one year to support his family, 
but as soon as reason and justice returned he became pastor of 
the churches of Brenham and Chappell Hill for one year. He 
then gave his whole time to Brenham for six years, and 
restored that beloved church to its former prosperity and glory. 
But feeling profoundly the importance of the Sabbath-school 
and colportage work, he resigned, and gave one year to get- 
ting this work in good shape. In 1875 he became pastor of 
Belton Church, and as the glorious work begun by Elder W. 
W. (Spurgeon) Harris had never been fully organized, it 
was becoming a total wreck. Brother Smith, with his noble 
heart and power of harmonizing and organization, soon got all 
in splendid shape, and Bell County soon became a great Bap- 
tist county, and Salado Association became one of the greatest 
associations in Texas. Brother Smith was greatly aided in 
this glorious work by our beloved brother, "W. E. Penn, the 
great evangelist. 

One of the greatest excellences of Brother Smith was as 
a peacemaker. His soul was profoundly impressed with these 
words of our Savior, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they 
shall be called the sons of Ood." 



744 The Life and Writings of 

But the most arduous, and, perchance, the most impor- 
tant work of his life was raising $31,000 to secure Baylor 
Female College for Belton, and then raising twice that amount 
for a grand outfit, for buildings, for apparatus and teachers. 
Iso human being can ever tell the toil, the wear and tear of 
muscle and brain he sufTerd in accomplishing this great work. 
I have no doubt it impaired his health and caused his prema- 
ture death. I pray that his toils and sacrifices may speak 
from the grave in trumpet tones to the people of Belton and 
the Baptists of Texas to pay off the debts of Baylor Female 
College and make it all our beloved and sainted brother desired 
it should be. 

Brother Smith's health began to fail materially in 1892, 
and he continued to grow more feeble until on February 1, 
1893, our Heavenly Father said, "Well done, good and faith- 
ful servant; enter into the joys of thy Lord." And he heard 
with joy the loving welcome, and white-winged angels bore 
him to his glorious home in paradise. He left a lovely and 
devoted wife to mourn his loss in their happy family, and 317,- 
000 Baptists to mourn his loss in Texas. 




PART VII 



ARTICLES ON TEXAS HISTORY 



BY DR. BURLESON. 



1 



Dr. Ruftjs C. Burleson. 749 



ARTICLES ON TEXAS HISTORY 



BY DR. BURLESON, 



INTRODUCTORY. 

TEXAS, ITS NAME, SIZE, CLIMATE AND HISTORY. 

I am agreeably astonished at the interest manifested in 
any articles on Texas History. i Expressions of interest and 
commendation come from ocean to ocean, and from lakes to 
•Gulf. 

It has occurred to me that a condensed history of Texas 
would interest many abroad, and perchance instruct many at 
home, who know more of Greece and Rome, of Lapland and 
Ohina, than of Texas; who know more of Caesar, Alexander 
and Bonaparte and the infamous Cleopatra and the Queen of 
Madagascar than of our own heroes and heroines. 

"We will discuss briefly three general divisions. 

I. What does "Texas" mean? 

II. "What is the size and climate of Texas ? 

III. What is the history of Texas ? 
First. What does "Texas" mean ? 

Tradition and legend give three meanings to "Tehas," or 
-"Texas." 

1. The name "Texas" is derived from the Latin verb 
terio, I weave, and was so called from the number of spider 
webs found woven over the forests in the bottoms of Lower 
Sabine, Neches and Trinity Rivers. 

2. That "Texas" means friends, or friendly, and was so 
■called from the fact that when La Salle and his men first 



750 



The Life and Writings of 



landed in Matagorda Bay, seeking the mouth of the Missis- 
sippi River, and the Indians crowded the shore and were asked 
what tribe they belonged to, answered, "Tehas," or "Texas/' 
or friendly; hence, it has been claimed that Texas means 
friends, or friendly. 

The third and most probable and beautiful meaning is 
that recorded by John Quincy Adams, in his celebrated diplo- 
matic correspondence with Don Pedro Cerallos and Don Louis 
de Orris about Texas affairs. 

That tradition says Texas means Paradise. 




LANDING OF LA SALLE. 

And that when the roaming bands of prairie Indians, 
seeking a better hunting ground, came to the range of moun- 
tains north of San Antonio, JSTew Braunfels and San Marcos, 
and saw the beautiful, transparent rivers of San Antonio, 
San Geronimo and San Marcos gurgling from the mountain 
sides and meandering over the vast prairies, carpeted with 
unending green and variegated with fragrant flowers, inter- 
spersed here and there with live oak groves, as the weary r 
delighted hunters saw these boundless prairies, covered with 
vast herds of deer and buffalo, and the streams filled with fish, 






Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 751 

all refreshed with cool, delightful Gulf breezes, and covered 
by a sky of more than Italian beauty, all at once shouted 
"Tehas !" "Tehas ! I" ""Paradise I" "Paradise ! !" for in the 
ancient Aztec language Tehas, or Texas, means paradise. 

I record these three traditions, and leave every man to 
decide for himself. I prefer the last. 

I prefer to believe that Texas means paradise. And I 
consecrated my life to make it a paradise of purity, love and 
light and the joy of the whole earth. 

Second. The Size and Climate of Texas. 

Texas has over 274,000 square miles, and is over 219 
times larger than Rhode Island, is just thirty-five times larger 
than New Jersey, is five times larger that the little Empire 
State of New York, is just six times larger than Virginia, is 
just four times larger than Georgia and is just 15,000 square 
miles larger than Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massa- 
chusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylva- 
nia, Ohio, Virginia, Maryland and Delaware all combined. 

If this vast territory were a desert, a Sahara or a Dismal 
Swamp, abounding in aligators and gallinippers, it would be 
unworthy of the undying devotion of her early pioneers. But 
Texas has scenery, climate and skies rivaling Italian beauty, 
a soil in her Brazos, Trinity and Colorado bottoms surpassing 
the Nile in fertility. 

Texas has a soil and climate adapted to sugar, cotton, 
wheat, apples, peaches, pears, grapes; in short, to all that nour- 
ishes the vigor and pleases the taste of man. 

Texas has 750 miles of seashore on the Mediterranean 
of the New World. 

The saint, the philosopher and the statesman will feel a 
profounder interest in Texas when he remembers that every 
great thinker and every great actor of the ancient world lived 
within 100 miles of the Mediterranean Sea. And that all the 
great thinkers, actors and discoverers of the planet have lived 
between the 25th and the 58th degrees of latitude. And that 
Texas is located within these lines of light and civilization. 

Then the soil, climate, latitude, location, production and 
scenery all combine to make Texas — a real Tehas or paradise, 



752 The Life and "Writings of 

when sin and ignorance are driven away. Jesse Mercer and 
George Peabody comprehended these great truths ; hence they 
gave their thousands to Christianize and educate Texas. 

Let no one suppose that Texas is a drouth-stricken land. 
The drouths of Texas, as that immortal scientist, Gen. M. F. 
Maury, demonstrated forty-five years ago, were confined to 
that part of Texas lying west of 98 degrees of longitute, and 
the drouths of that section would only be occasional, while all 
Central and Eastern Texas are eminent for good seasons, 
genial climate and good health. 

Third. The history of Texas. 

The history of Texas is thrilling, romantic and heroic 
beyond conception. 

Texas has all the materials in heroism and exalted 
patriotism to make a grander poem than the Iliad of Homer 
or the ifrneid of Virgil, and a grander history than the Pelo- 
ponesian war of Thucydides or the Anabasis of Xenophon. 
We earnestly pray that Texas may produce a Homer, a Virgil, 
a Thucydides, a Xenophon, a Macaulay, D'Aubigue or a 
Milton. 

But to give a clearer conception of Texas history we 
classify it into seven distinct eras. 

First — Era of Discovery, from 1532 to 1687. 

Second — Era of Catholic Missions, from 1687 to 1800. 

Third — Era of Fredonians or Filibusters from 1800 to 
1820. 

Fourth — Era of Colonization, from 1820 to 1830. 

Fifth— Era of [Revolution, from 1830 to 1836. 

Sixth — Era of the Eepublic, from 1836 to 1845. 

.Seventh — Era of the State, from 1845 to 1901. 

FIRST— Era of Discovery. 

It is a singular fact that Texas, our Paradise, was dis- 
covered by three mistakes of her three real discoverers, De 
Soto, 1542; Espejo, 1620; La Salle, 1635. 

First, that chivalrous and peerless Ferdando De Soto, 
after aiding Pizarro in the conquest of Peru, longing to rival 



Dk. Rufus C. Burleson. 753 

Cortez and Pizarro in their conquests and accumulation of 
wealth, and after marrying a beautiful princess, Isabella Boab- 
dilla, he accepted the tradition that somewhere near the center 
of this continent were gold mines richer than Ophir or Gol- 
conda. He left Spain with seven large ships April 15, 1538/ 
accompanied by his queenly bride Isabella Boabdilla, with 
hundreds of young men, the flower of Spanish chivalry, with 
elegantly dressed wives and sisters and pages. The whole 
voyage was a grand scene of feasting, music, dancing and 
revelry by day and night, in which elegant ladies and young 
Spanish cavaliers participated with certain expectation of soon 
entering an earthly paradise of gold and beauty. Charles V. 
had made De Soto governor of Cuba, and all the vast region 
he might discover. De Soto left his beautiful wife Isabella, 
and a lieutenant-governor and the elegant ladies of the expe- 
dition in Cuba, and he, with 1,000 brave followers, with 
priests and blood-hounds, with images of the virgin, many 
handcuffs and chains with which to make Catholics of the sav- 
ages, plunged into the impenetrable forests of Florida 
May 25, 1539. He inaugurated and practiced fearful cruel- 
ties on the Indians. Among other outrages he captured and 
took along with him a large number of the beautiful Alabama 
Indian girls. The brave Seminole, Cherokee, Mobile, Chick- 
asaw and Choctaw Indians, contested every step of the progress 
of these civilized Catholic savages. "With a heroism worthy 
of a better cause De Soto pressed his way on and crossed the 
Mississippi in June, 1541, near Helena, and on through the 
mighty forests of Arkansas to near where Fort Smith now 
stands. He turned his course south to Red River near Tex- 
arkana in June, 1542. He and his followers were the first 
invincible Caucasians that ever trod upon Texas soil. Erect- 
ing the holy cross and singing Te Deum, he said : 

"I declare this land, which I have discovered, with all its 
territory, rivers and bays, to belong to his Catholic Majesty, 
Charles V. of Spain, forever." But finding no gold and 
broken hearted and dispirited, and pining for the beautiful 
wives they had left in Cuba, they began to retrace their steps 
and reached the Mississippi. There De Soto, the hero per- 
chance of a thousand battles, died of fever. A rude coffin 

48 



754 The Life and Writings of 

was hewn out of a live oak and with heavy weights he wa? 
buried under the mighty turbid waves of the Mississippi in the 
deadness of midnight, lest the enraged savages should dese- 
crate his dead body. The sad news of De Soto's death cast a 
gloom over Cuba, Poor Isabella died of a broken heart, and 
scores of the beautiful women who went dancing to seek a 
Paradise, returned to Spain as homeless widows. A sad com- 
ment, that frolicking, dancing, pleasure-seeking people are 
always in the end failures. Too much pleasure is death to 
success. 

The second discoverer of Texas was the Spanish explorer, 
Espejo. He, like De Soto, was fascinated with a vague 
legend that near the center of the continent there were vast 
mines of gold and silver, and in search of that El Dorado he 
set out from Mexico and reached the Rio Grande at El Paso 
in 1620, the very year and month that the Pilgrim Fathers 
landed at Plymouth Rock. Don Espejo was seeking gold; 
the Pilgrims were seeking where to worship God. Don 
Espejo also took possession of Texas for the E^ing of Spain, 
800 miles from the spot on which De Soto landed. 

The third discoverer was the sainted and heroic cavalier, 
Robert La Salle, next to the sainted Columbus, the purest of 
all the discoverers and explorers of the fifteenth and sixteenth 
centuries. On the 19th of April, 1682, he discovers for the 
first time the mouth of the Mississippi. 

He believed on the banks of the Father of Waters ought 
to be the grandest city on this continent, which prediction has 
been spoiled by a set of dancing,, theater-going, Sabbath- 
desecrating Frenchmen and their cousins, the American dudes 
of New Orleans. The heroic La Salle, after taking posses- 
sion of all that vast territory in the name of his Emperor, 
Louis XIV., in honor of whom he called it Louisiana, returned 
to France to procure immigrants and means to found this 
future grand city. 

His grateful and delighted monarch furnished him large 
sums of money, four ships and 280 settlers. But, alas ! little- 
ness and jealousy, that bane of all great enterprises, mani- 
fested itself in the person of Beaujean, the ship master, whom 
La Salle, in mistaken kindness, failed to have hung to the 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 



755 



masthead for mutiny, and allowed the infamous wretch to 
wreck the whole expedition, and murder 280 men, women and 
children. A fearful demonstration that mercy to bad men 
is cruelty to good men. 

The infamous Beaujean caused the mistake of sailing too 
far west, and instead of landing at the mouth of the Missis- 
sippi, landed in Matagorda Bay, at the mouth of the Lavaca 
River, January 3, 1685. After many days spent in coasting 
up and down the Gulf from Corpus Christi to the mouth of 
the Colorado, and wrecking one of the vessels, the dastard 
Beaujean took the best ship and all the sailors and all the guns 
he could seize, and sneaked away in the darkness of the night, 



; >.■;•-■;.: ,• :/■'.•:— /J-: ' .. : :'•-;■':;/':' _■.■■;--■-■ ' '■ j 



MURDER OF LA SALLE. 

and left the gallant, saintly La Salle with 280 men, women 
and children on an unknown shore, with only one small ves- 
sel. One of the ships was lost on the shore of San Domingo, 
and one in Matagorda Bay. 

La Salle went ashore and took possession by process 
verbal, of all that territory in the name of the grand monarch, 
Louis XIV. La Salle, leaving his little company and fort 
under the command of a captain, hurried on to the Mississippi, 
to meet his faithful ally, De Tonto, who was to go via Canada, 
on the Upper Mississippi, and collect a large company of im- 



'756 



The Life and Writings of 



migrants for their city, that was one day to rival Rome, Alex- 
andria, Paris and London. 

But alas ! after struggling in vain with swollen streams 
and hostile Indians, he was murdered March 19, 1687, by 
Dahaut and Tevtot, partizans of the infamous Beaujean, and 
was buried near Bowles Springs, five miles from Bush. His 
native city, Rouen, has just erected a beautiful marble statue 
to his memory. But his body sleeps in an unknown spot in 
Texas, as De Soto's does in the bottom of the Mississippi. I 
trust Texas will yet erect a monument to his heroic virtues. 
For his tragic death in Texas, and his glowing description of 
Texas soil, climate and scenery, published by his pious father 
confessor, Douay, struck the first keynote in the progress of 
Texas. These three discoveries, made by three mistakes, viz, 
on the Red River, near Clarksville, by De Soto, 1542; by Don 
Espejo, at El Paso, in 1620, and LaSalle, on Matagorda Bay, 
in 1685, laid the foundation for bitter controversies about the 
discovery and ownership of Texas, that raged for about thirty 
years, and was finally settled by what is known as the family 
treaty of San Idelfonso, 1762. 

SECOND— Era of Catlolic Missions. 

The Spaniards, in order to make sure their claim to Texas, 
began in 1690 to establish missions, to extend from the Rio 
Grande to the Sabine River. 

These missions were not only merely to convert the In- 
dians, but were at the same time fortified settlements. The 
Alamo is a sample of all Texas Catholic missions. They were 
usually located on some stream where irrigation and rich bot- 
tom lands could be combined. There was first a large house 
built for a church in time of peace and a fort in time of danger. 
Smaller stone houses were built around this fortified church 
for the priest, the mechanics and farmers, and huts for the 
converted Indians. 

Some of these fortified churches would contain 600 or 
700 persons. They were surmounted with enormous belb 
and statues and filled with paintings and richly decorated 
altars, with burning candles, and every agency to impress the 
superstitious minds of the Indians, many of whom by persua- 
sion or force were induced to profess the Catholic religion and 




Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 757 

accept baptism without the faintest idea of genuine Christian 
conversion. 

The first of the missions was founded by De Leon, at,. 
Presidio, on the Kio Grande, in 1690. Two years later the 
mission of San Antonio, first called San Fernando, was es- 
tablished. This mission was increased by the removal of the 
San Antonio mission from the Rio Grande, in 1715. The 
Mission Conception and San Jose were added in 1730. The 
foundation of the Alamo, covering nearly an acre, was laid 
in 1744. San Saba, near a rock silver mine, was established 
in 1739, but the Comanches, disgusted with the exactions of 
their spiritual fathers, murdered the whole of them, and blot- 
tel out the mission in 1758. The Mission Valley was founded 
in 1719. The Mission El Paso probably 1727. 

The Missions of Goliad and Adroes east of Sabine and 
Nacogdoches, on Azish Bayou, were all founded in 1715. The 
old stone house, still standing in Nacogdoches was built in 
1758. The last mission at "Refugio was founded in 1790. 
The zeal of the Spanish government, in sustaining these semi- 
political-military missions may be seen in the fact that the 
government spent in 1731 $72,000 to transport 16 families 
containing 57 persons from the Canary Islands to San 
Antonio. 

Thus in one hundred years a chain of fortified missions 
was established from the Rio Grande to Sabine river. These 
missionaries gave the pious names to our rivers, Brazos de Dios^ 
the Arm of God, Trinity, San Jacinto, San Antonio, etc. 

THIRD— Era of Fredonians or Filibusters. 

No era of Texas history is less understood than the era 
of filibustering, from about 1796 to 1819. Philip Nolan, A. 
W. Magee, Samuel Kemper, Ellis P. Bean, James Long and 
Ben R. Milan figured so conspicuously, and performed deeds of 
desperate personal valor that rival that of Hector, Agamem- 
non, Ulysses and Achilles. 

These brave but misguided men were not, as some sup- 
pose, freebooters and robbers, seeking plunder, but were carry-* 
ing out the Monroe doctrine to its fullest extreme, that 
crowned heads in Europe should not be allowed to hold pos- 
session on American soil. 



758 The Life and Writings of 

And their object was to wrest Mexico, or at least a part 
of it, from the King of Spain and extend the era of republican 
institutions. 

La Fitte and Aaron Burr both belonged to this era, but 
La Fitte was a pirate, while Aaron Burr was seeking revenge 
on the United States for his own crimes, and wished to disin- 
tegrate the Mississippi valley from the United States and 
Texas from Mexico, and form a government of which he 
should be chief. 

All four of these filibustering expeditions, notwithstand^ 
ing prodigies, and streams of blood, utterly failed. Of ISTo- 
lan's, only one man, Ellis P. Bean, escaped. When Perry 
saw the last man of his command perish, he shot out his own 
brains rather than be captured, at Goliad. 

Of Magee's, the most formidable of all, and composed 
of 2500 men, who captured and held San Antonio so long, 
every officer perished, and only 92 men ever recrossed the 
Sabine. Let these facts and the terrible fate of my dear old 
college-mate, Gen. Walker, of Nicaragua, and the late ill- 
fated Maximilian be an everlasting warning to those short- 
sighted men who think it will be an easy matter to conquer 
and hold Mexico as a province of the United States. 

These five filibustering expeditions and the inroads of 
the Comanches and Pipans, well-nigh destroyed all the set- 
tlements that 100 years of the era of missions had established. 
It was these filibusters that caused Don Salcedo to say that if 
he had the power, he would prevent the very birds from flying 
over the boundary line between Texas and the United States. 
But the beautiful land, Texas, or Paradise, was lapsing 
into barbarism, and hence began the fourth era, the era of 
colonization, extending from 1820 to 1830. 

FOURTH— Era of Colonization. 
The Mexican colonization grant was to Gen. Grimer- 
serest, who was to colonize 3000 Europeans in the fertile val- 
ley of San Marcos, but this failed utterly. A second grant 
was made to Edward Keene, which failed also. Then the 
notorious infidel, Robert Owen, asked to be allowed to bring 
a large colony of infidel communists to Texas and to show 
the superior excellency of a government where there was no 



Dr. Bufus C. Burleson. 759 

God, no Bible, no preacher, no Sunday and no personal prop- 
erty. Tradition says he offered $4,000,000 for all the land 
between the Brazos and Colorado rivers, and from the cross- 
ing of the San Antonio road in Burleson and Bastrop counties 
to the Gulf, but the pious Alcalde spurned his gold, and the 
great infidel was forced to invest his millions and behold the 
shameful failure of his infidel vagaries at ISTew Harmony, 
Indiana. 

Our great Moses Austin, having given up his tempor- 
ary home at Austin, Ark., was living in New Orleans, and 
hearing of these failures and the great desire of Mexico to col- 
onize Texas applied to the Alcalde at San Antonio for per- 
mission to bring a colony of 300 families. The Alcalde, hav- 
ing a vivid, painful recollection of the filibusters, ordered 
Austin to leave Texas at once and never return, on pain of im- 
prisonment. 

As Austin, in bitter disappointment, was crossing the 
plaza, he met his old friend, Baron De Bastrop. The Baron 
was a courtly man, with a holy horror of republicanism — ^ 
Prussian by birth and learned in all the arts of war, under 
Frederick the Great. He afterwards offered his services to 
the King of Spain, and for distinguished services he received 
an empressario grant to settle 30 miles square between the 
Mississippi and Bed Biver, 400,000 acres of which he con- 
tracted to Aaron Burr before his treasonable purposes were 
understood. He founded Bastrop, La., but as soon as Louis- 
iana was ceded to France in honor of the republican tendencies 
of France, he immigrated to Texas and settled at Bastrop. 
This gallant soldier and noble-hearted but ardent Boyalist 
knew and admired Moses Austin in Louisiana, and invited 
him to his room in San Antonio. Baron de Bastrop assured 
Governor Don Martinez that Moses Austin was no filibuster, 
but an elegant gentleman and scholar and the soul of honor, 
and would, bring none but peaceable farmers and stockmen 
such as Mexico desired. The governor relented, invited 
Austin to his home, and aided him in securing a grant 
to introduce 300 families. When Moses Austin died, the 
gallant Bastrop assured the Mexican authorities that his son, 
Stephen Fuller Austin, inherited all the noble qualities of the 



760 The Life and Writings of 

father, and the son was authorized to till the contract of the 
father. Then began the splendid era of colonization. On 
the 1st day of January, 1822, the first of the 300 families 
crossed the Brazos, and camped on a small stream between 
Washington and Chappell Hill, which, in honor of the day, 
they named New Year's Creek, So faithfully did Austin 
comply with the contract, that in 1825 he got a second grant 
to colonize 500 families more, in 1827 a third grant for 100, 
and in 1828 a fourth to colonize 300 families. 

In all 1200 families. Each family was to receive a Mex- 
ican league, 4428 acres of land, for pasture, and a labor, 177 
acres, for cultivation. Austin had taken a solemn oath on the 
Holy Bible, signed with the cross, to bring none but moral, 
peaceable, law-abiding and industrious men. He complied 
with this oath most rigidly, as well for the good of his colony 
as for the sancity of his oath. Austin's colony for morality, 
for industry, for high social excellency, was never excelled. 
Crime was almost unknown, and the prosperity of the colony 
in wealth was without a parallel. So great was the suc- 
cess of Austin's colony that by the year 1830 Hay den 
Edwards, Joseph Vehelin, David G. Burnet, Martin He 
Leon, Green Dewitt, McMullen and McGloin, Sterling 
Kobertson of the Nashville Company, Ben K. Milam and 
General Filisola all obtained grants to plant colonies in Texas. 
All the colonies were from the United States, except those of 
McMullen and McGloin's, who were to introduce Irish- 
Catholics in San Patricio, and Vehelin was to introduce 
Erench and Swiss. With Vehelin the Pierrots and other 
members of Napoleon's Old Guard returned to Libertad (now 
Liberty), the home of their exile in 1817, on the downfall of 
Napoleon. 

To supply the growing want of labor induced a few to- 
introduce the African slave trade, and a ship was fitted out 
for that trade and quite a number of Africans — among them 
a Zong prince — were brought into Texas. Some of them I 
baptized in 1848. This unholy traffic was severely denounced 
by David G. Burnet and the council of San Eelipe in 1830, 
but was not entirely broken up. till the English commodore 
arrested the captain and hung him to the mast of his ship ins 




Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 761 

Cuba, though the captain's brothers offered $50,000 for his 
release. 

But this splendid era of prosperous colonization was soon 
to cease and be succeeded by the bloody era of the Revolution. 

FIFTH — Era of Revolution. 

Though Steven F. Austin, Baron de Bastrop, Almonte, 
Seguin, Navarro and other great and good men did all in their 
power to promote harmony and good feeling, oil and water 
cannot mix. Hay den Edwards in his Fredonian war, falsely so- 
called, struck the first discordant note at Nacogdoches, then 
jealous for the financial prosperity and rapid increase of power. 
The innate desire of the Anglo-Saxons for free schools and 
freedom to worship God, aroused the jealousy of the Latin or 
Spanish race. But worst of all and greatest of all, Santa 
Anna finding Mexico utterly unfitted for a republic, subverted 
the constitution of 1824, and substituted in its place a strong 
central government, or military despotism, repugnant to 
Anglo-Saxons in all ages. He and Bostanula also reopened 
the colonization law of 1817. 

Mexico after a feeble resistance, submitted to the yoke. 
But the Anglo-Saxons, inheriting the same spirit of hatred 
displayed at Runnymede, rose in their manhood, vanquished 
and captured Riedras, at Nacogdoches, Bradlum, at Rassac, 
and Ugartechea, at Pelasco, and drove them out of Texas 
in the fall of 1833. The freemen proclaimed themselves loyal 
to Mexico under the Constitution of 1824, and the constitu- 
tion granted to them on their emigrating to Texas, but in eter- 
nal hostility to a central military despotism. 

Steven F. Austin was sent to Mexico to bear these as- 
surances of loyalty but was rudely thrown into prison. As 
soon as Santa Anna could spare what he deemed a sufficient 
force to subdue Texas, he sent his brother, Gen. Cos with 
Ugartechea and Castanado, to disarm Texas, abolish her civil 
officers and establish the military. The Texans, under Col- 
onel John Moore, routed Castanado at Gonzales, October 2, 
1835, and chased him back to San Antonio, where the whole 
army under Gen. Cos, after six weeks siege, surrendered to 
General Burleson, December 9, 1835. 



762 



The Life and Writings of 



The Mexican loss was estimated at 150 killed, 1,200 pris- 
oners. The Texans captured 21 pieces of artillery, five 
hundred muskets and a large amount of army supplies. Santa 
Anna, infuriated at this first serious check to his ambition, 
raised 8,000 picked soldiers and resolved to blot out the 
Texans. With his usual activity, he swooped down upon the 
Alamo, and butchered her 182 heroic defenders, Sunday, 
March 6, 1836, and executed Fannin and his brave men at 
Goliad, Sunday, March 27th. Santa Anna pursued the re- 
treating Texans to San Jacinto, and deeming the subjugation 




SANTA ANNA BEHIND LIEUT. SYLVESTER. 

of Texas completed, he was making his arrangements to return 
to Mexico flushed with victory and crowned with fresh laurels. 
After banqueting on dainty meats and wine, he lay down 
to- take his usual siesta at 3 o'clock p. m. "He lay dreaming 
of the hour when Texas, her knee in suppliance bent, should 
tremble at his power." That bright dream; that fatal nap was 
his last. He woke to hear his sentry shriek, "They come, 
they come." He woke to hear the Texas battle shout, "Re- 
member the Alamo; Remember Goliad." He saw his chosen 
veterans of so many glorious victories falling like the autumn 



Dr. Bufus C. Burleson. 763 

leaves before the deadly fire of the Texans or flying like chaff 
before a storm. Next day he found himself hiding in grass, 
bare-headed, bare-footed and in his shirt sleeves; then mounted 
on a mule behind the boy Sylvester. 

As he rode into the Texan camp his soul was horrified 
by the wail of his captured army: "El Presidente, Santa 
Anna. ! El Presidente Santa Anna !" and louder curses of the 
<enraged Texans : "Kill him !" Shoot him !" Hang him !" 
"Bemember Goliad !" Sic transit gloria mundi, thus the 
glory of the world vanisheth. 

The era of revolution and blood and military despotism 
passed away and then began the era of the Lone Star Bepublic. 

SIXTH— Era of the Republic. 

This Lone Star rose in splendor and shed its tranquil 
beams over the smoking, bloody plains of San Jacinto, over 
the unburied brave of Goliad, over the emblazoned walls of 
the Alamo and over the routed, fleeing hordes of Santa Anna. 

But, as that grand old hero, General Houston, said, stand- 
ing on the wharf at New Orleans, whither he had gone for 
surgical treatment of his bleeding wounds : "Texas has con- 
quered the Mexicans, but she now has a grander battle to 
fight — she must conquer herself, her passions, and lay a deep, 
broad foundation in virtue and intelligence, and in this great 
battle men must have the aid of the ladies and the gospel. 
How grandly they fought that battle against 8,000,000 Mexi- 
cans and 60,000 Indians defending 750 miles of frontier, our 
space forbids us now to relate, but after shining in lonely, but 
resplendent glory for nine years, by the free choice of her 
sons, on the 5th day of July, the 4th being Sunday, she closed 
her bright career as a republic and began her era as the Lone 
Star State. 

SEVENTH -Era of State. 

Eorty-two years ago she was the poorest State in the 
Union. Now she is the richest in the South and in 1900 will 
be the richest in the Union. She is the only State in the 
Union that doubled her number of Congressmen in the last 
ten years. She has the largest State University fund and 
largest permanent free school fund of any State in the Union, 



764 The Life and Writings of 

and after blundering a few years more will have the grandest 
University and free school system between the two oceans. 

She will have the largest delegation in the next Southern 
Baptist Convention, and has more Baptist missionaries in the 
foreign field than any other State in the Union. And let 
every patriot pray that soon Texas may be the wisest, the 
holiest, the richest and the greatest Prohibition State the sun 
in his long journey around this planet shines upon. Then 
Texas will be what the name imports — a Paradise. 

Written April 6th, 1887. 




if'iB 




EXECUTIVE MANSION IN 1836. EXECUTIVE MANSION IN 1901. 



ADDBESS TO TEXAS VETEBANS. 

Honorable President, Texas Veterans and Daughters of the 
Republic : 

I joyfully comply with the request of our honorable 
mayor and of Pat Cleburne Camp, and of all Waco to bid you 
welcome. You are thrice welcome to our hearts, our homes- 
and our beautiful city. We regard it a great honor to welcome 
you as dutiful children would venerable fathers. We regard 
you not only as Texas Veterans but as Veteran Fathers of the 
greatness and glory of Texas. To welcome you is ten-fold dear 
to my heart for you are the heroic companions of my kinsmen ? 
the Burlesons, the Hardemans, the Crawfords, the Shipmans, 
the Kuykendalls, the Gages and the Joneses, who poured out 
their blood on every great battlefield of Texas. 






Dr. Rufus C. Bukleson. 



765 



Venerable fathers, we wish to gladden your aged hearts, 
and fire the souls of the young, especially the great army of 
students by relating briefly the history of Texas and your 
.glorious deeds in redeeming this fair land from wild beasts, 
bloody Indians and Mexican misrule. 

Tradition says that 200 years before Columbus discov- 
ered America a bloody feud arose among the ancient Aztecs 
and the ISTasonite tribe was driven from the halls of the Mon- 
tezumas and forbidden ever to return on pain of extermina- 
tion. These half -clad sons of the Tropics with their wives and 







AZTEC INDIANS DISCOVERING TEXAS. 

•children wandered far to the North hunting a secure refuge 
from their persecutors, but when they reached the land of the 
Dacotahs a "Blizzard' 7 or Texas Norther, struck them and they 
heat a hasty retreat to a more genial clime. After wandering 
many days they reached" the beautiful mountain summits north 
of San Marcos and San Geronimo. They gazed with rapture 
on the beautiful, clear streams gushing from the mountain 
•side and rippling over vast flowery plains carpeted with unend- 
ing green, dotted with beautiful live oak groves and filled with 



766 The Life and Writings of 

vast herds of buffalo, deer and wild turkeys. The weary r 
starving wanderers thought they had reached that beautiful 
hunting ground promised good Indians beyond the river of 
death called in the Aztec language "Texas" or Paradise, and 
they shouted aloud "Texas," "Texas," "Paradise," "Paradise." 
And they called all this beautiful land "Texas" or "Paradise." 

In 1685 the saintly LaSalle having discovered the mouth 
of the Mississippi River desired to found a great city on the 
Father of Waters. He sailed from France with five ships and 
182 settlers, but the jealousy and meanness of his ship-master,. 
Beaujean, misled him and he landed in Matagorda Bay at 
Dimitts point on the La Yacca river. Vast throngs of Indians 
crowded the shore and when asked what tribe of Indians they 
were of, and if they were friendly, replied "Texas, Texas, 
meaning "this is Paradise." But LaSalle more anxious to 
know whether they were friendly than to know their names y 
thought Texas meant "friendly." LaSalle, not knowing that 
it was the same land discovered by Espejo in 1532 and DeSoto, 
1542, and dedicated to Spain and the Catholic church, erected 
the cross and dedicated it to the King of Prance and the Holy 
Catholic church. But he and all of his company perished by 
the Indians, by traitors, and by Spaniards. Only his priest, 
Father Anastase, and eleven others, reached home. Anastase 
wrote a glowing description of this beautiful land and of the 
mournful death of La Salle. His description of the perpetual 
summers, the flowery plains, fertile valleys, and skies of more 
than Italian beauty, filled Europe with a desire to occupy this 
Paradise of the new world. Spain, to make good her claim, 
stretched a chain of forts and mission stations from the Rio 
Grande to the Sabine. She imported colonists at immense 
expense. She paid $72,000 to bring one company of eighty- 
two colonists to San Antonio. But after one hundred and ten 
years of Spanish misrule there was only six thousand thriftless, 
improvident Mexicans in Texas. Thousands of noble men felt 
it was a crime against God and humanity to allow this beauti- 
ful land to remain the home of Indians, buffaloes and wolves. 

A Kentuckian wrote a poem called "The Fredonians" 
and dedicated it to Gen. LaFayette. In that poem of burning 
eloquence he described armies of "Fredonians" pouring down 



Dr. Eufus C. Burleson. 767 

from the north, not for pillage but to rescue this beautiful 
land from the tyrants of Spain and the bloody savage. For 
twenty years Fredonian armies continued to pour into Texas. 
First came Nolan and Bean; second Magee and Kemper; 
third Aury and Mina and Perry, and last the gallant James 
Long and his heroic wife. Though these sons of freedom 
performed deeds of valor that rival the grandest ages of chiv- 
alry, yet they all perished on the field of glory or in lonesome 
dungeons. But the blood of heroes always produces a crop of 
heroes. And after the utter failure of the heroic Fredonians 
that grand and God-sent man, Moses Austin, grasped the idea 
that the only way to rescue this beautiful land from barba- 
rism was to colonize it with industrious, upright farmers and 
stockmen. He fully realized that to found a city was a 
grander achievement than to win a great battle. Moses Austin 
was as pre-eminently qualified to plant a great colony in Texas 
as the God-sent Moses was to lead the children of Israel from 
Egyptian bondage to their promised land. In 1820 he made 
a long perilous journey through the wilderness from Missouri 
to San Antonio to petition the Spanish governor to allow him 
to plant a colony of three hundred farmers and stockmen in 
Texas. 

The astonished Governor Martinez, still smarting under 
the recollection of the Fredonian war that had spread terror 
over all Mexico exclaimed "Tres Centos Americanos," "Tres 
Centos Diaboles," I would rather have three hundred devils 
than three hundred Americans in Texas. "If I had the power 
I would kill every bird that flies over the boundary line be- 
tween the United States and Mexico." He ordered Austin 
to leave Texas immediately or he would have him shot- 
As the astonished Austin was crossing the public square of 
San Antonio, by the good providence of God, he met his dear 
old friend Baron DeBastrop whom he knew intimately at 
Bastrop, Louisiana. The grand old Bastrop was astonished and 
delighted to see his dear friend and more so to hear of his desire 
to plant a colony of farmers and stock kings in Texas. He im- 
mediately visited the enraged Alcalde Martinez, and assured 
him that Austin was no Fredonian, but a pure grand man 
who wanted to plant a great colony of industrious farmers and 



768 The Life and Writings of 

stock men who would add immensely to the wealth of Texas 
and be a bulwark of protection against the dreaded Comanche. 
Governor Martinez, having profound confidence in Bastrop, 
sent for Austin to come back, and after a full discussion of all 
the great points he accepted Austin's proposition to bring a 
colony first of three hundred and then of one thousand families 
if the plan succeeded. But to fully consummate this grant, 
Austin had to make a journey to the City of Mexico. Some- 
times on foot, sometimes on a mustang pony. Yet his in- 
domitable courage surmounted all difficulties and he secured 
most liberal terms for his colony. Each head of a family was 
to receive free of charge "a league and a labor of land," or four 
thousand four hundred and twenty-eight acres for pasture land 
and one hundred and seventy-seven acres for cultivation. 
Every colonist was to be of high moral character and to be- 
fully protected in life, liberty and property. Austin was re- 
turning with the full and joyous assurance of a glorious suc- 
cess but was robbed and deserted by his travelling companions 
and left sick and alone to die in the wilderness. But ho 
reached his home in Missouri, though utterly prostrate from 
long travel and mental anxiety. Soon after he died peacefully 
and calmly as heroes die. But he was blest with that noblest 
of all blessings, a heroic son, worthy of a heroic father. His 
son, Stephen F. Austin, inherited not only his father's colo- 
nial grant but his exalted courage his clear penetrating intel- 
lect combined with great common sense, inflexible justice and 
•spotless purity. This world has never produced a purer, truer, 
grander man than Stephen F. Austin. I am often asked by 
my students which should Texas love and reverence more, 
"Stephen F. Austin or Houston. I always answer, "there is 
another question to settle first, which should children love 
more, their mother or father? Each forms an inseparable 
link in the happiness of the child and each is entitled to 
supreme love and gratitude. Without Austin there would 
have been no Texas to defend, and without Houston, Texas 
could never have been defended and guided through her dark 
and stormy revolution." And Mr. President no tongue, no 
pen can ever tell how much love and gratitude Texas owes to 
your illustrious Uncle Stephen F. Austin. But the success 



Dr. Kuftjs C. Burleson. 769 

of Austin is his grandest eulogy. Keceiving the dying request 
of his father to carry out his contract in founding a colony 
between the Navedad and San Jacinto rivers he immediately 
commenced this great work and so great was his success that 
Texas under Anglo Saxon rule in ten years made greater pro- 
gress than under Spanish rule for two hundred and eighty 
years. In ten years of Anglo Saxon rule the population in- 
creased to thirty thousand while under Spanish rule in two 
hundred and eighty years there were only six thousand in- 
habitants. 

This wonderful growth in numbers and wealth alarmed 
the fears and excited the jealousy of the imbecile Mexicans. 
And the military despots knew the thirty thousand Anglo 
Saxons would never surrender life, liberty and property to 
military tyrants, hence they began a system of oppression un- 
paralleled in any civilized nation. Indeed it meant bloody 
extermination. First the military despots abolished the Con- 
stitution of 1824 and abolished all civil courts and placed 
every man's life, liberty and property at the mercy of a mili- 
tary dictator. Second. Texas ports were all blockaded ex- 
cept two. Third. All Texans were to be disarmed, and left 
to the mercy of the bloody Comanches. Fourth. The homes 
and property of all patriots that resisted tyrants were to be 
confiscated. Fifth. Santa Anna sent five military despots 
with armed soldiers to enforce these outrages on the Texans. 
Heroic, venerable fathers, you, like the heroes of 1776 sent an 
earnest petition, by Stephen F. Austin, imploring Santa Anna 
and the Mexicans not to trample on the constitution of 1821 
nor blockade your ports and above all not to disarm Texans 
and leave them and their wives and children to the scalping 
knife of the savage. But your petition was spurned, and the 
pure and exalted Stephen F. Austin confined in a loathsome 
dungeon for two years. Then like all your Anglo-Saxon an- 
cestors from Kunnymede to Yorktown you girded on your 
swords and in the name of the God of Liberty marched forth 
to battle. You at once captured and expelled from Texas the 
military despots, Piedras, Bradburn, Unleos. General Cos sent 
General Castenado to Gonzales to sieze the guns and cannons 
of the Texans. But a band of heroic Texans under Colonel 

49 



770 The Life and Writings of 

John H. Moore, repulsed and chased him back to San An- 
tonio. Here General Cos marshalled one thousand two hun- 
dred and fifty soldiers in a strongly fortified city of four 
thousand Mexicans and deemed himself invincible against a 
little band of six hundred half-armed Texans. But after 
strategy and heroism unsurpassed for seven days, General 
Cos hung out the white flag and surrendered the whole city 
and all his munitions of war to General Burleson. When 
General Santa Anna heard of the inglorious defeat of his 
generals he raved like a mad man. He had just crushed the 
last vestige of opposition to his authority in Mexico, and left 
two thousand dead patriots on the bloody field of Zacatecas. 
He swore he would bring his eight thousand veteran troops, 
who had followed him in thirty-two victories, also his one 
thousand Guatemalian Indians, called "Black Angels of 
Death," and sweep the Texans from the face of the earth and 
divide their land and property among his soldiers, and reign 
supreme in the hall of the Montezumas as "the Napoleon of 
the West." Like a bloody hyena he came bounding over 
the prairies of Texas forgetting that "pride goeth before a 
fall and a haughty spirit before destruction." On the 23rd 
of February, 1836, he marshalled his invading army around 
the emblackened walls of the Alamo, and summoned Travis 
to surrender unconditionally. Travis answered this insult 
with a cannon shot. Travis assembled his one hundred and 
eighty-two heroes in the court of the Alamo and drawing a 
line with a sword, said, "Every soldier that is resolved to die 
fighting and never surrender will cross over this line." AIL, 
with wild shouts, rushed over the line, except the gallant 
Bowie, who lay dying with consumption and grief at the loss 
of his beautiful Senora Veremanclis, and could not rise, but 
cried aloud "Boys, carry me over that line, for I am resolved 
to die fighting for liberty." With a still louder yell they took 
up the dying hero on his couch and carried him over the line. 
On Sunday morning, March 6th, the eleventh day of the siege 
while the church bells were ringing and calling the worship- 
pers to early prayers bloody Santa Anna marshalled his whole 
army and stormed and captured the Texas ThermopylaB, but 
not till the last hero perished. On that holy Sabbath even- 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 771 

ing the monster of cruelty had the bleeding bodies of the dead 
heroes gathered in a pile and burned. He was outraged that 
an insignificant band of one hundred and eighty-two Texans 
should delay his grand army eleven days and kill and wound 
one thousand of his veteran troops. The Texas videtes before 
San Antonio fled away to bear the news that the last hero per- 
ished. When they rushed into the Texas camp near Gonzales 
bearing the dreadful news, the soldiers were greatly excited. 
General Houston had not yet arrived to take command and 
the soldiers instinctively rallied around the tent of General 
Burleson. Who had commanded at the capture of the Alamo. 





SEIGE OF THE ALAMO-MARCH 6, 1836. 

He made them a speech in plain, rough English that fired 
every heart. In conclusion he used these immortal words, 
"Thermopylae had her messenger of defeat, the Alamo had 
none, so let it be with every Texan, if Texas goes down in this 
unequal defeat, let every Texan die fighting like Travis, Bon- 
ham, Bowie and Crockett." The wildest shouts rent the air, 
"We will die fighting, we will all die fighting." Santa Anna, 
in order to spread consternation among the Texans, mounted 
Mrs. Dickinson on a mule with her babe just eight weeks old 
in her arms, both sprinkled in blood, and sent with her Travis' 
body servant, hoping that her horrid recitals of the bloodv 



772 The Life and Writings of 

scenes of the Alamo would strike terror to the Texan hearts. 
Little did the cowardly monster know of Anglo-Saxon hero- 
ism. When the heroine of the Alamo rode into the Texan 
camp the soldiers gathered around her to see the mournful 
sight, she lifting her hand on high, shouted with a clarion 
voice, "They all died fighting for liberty as every Texan 
should." The thrilling voice of that blood-sprinkled woman 
fired anew the soul of every Texan." And the wildest shouts 
rent the air "We will all die fighting for liberty." When 
Houston arrived he found the little army all on fire to attack 
Santa Anna and avenge the death of the heroes of the Alamo. 
But as Santa Anna with his black angels of death would 
sweep over Texas burning houses and murdering as they went 
all heads of families were compelled to return home and re- 
move their families to places of safety. A few days later the 
terrible news of the butchery of Fannin and his one thousand 
three hundred and eighty-five soldiers at Goliad and of Grant 
and King and one hundred and twenty men at Victoria. Gen. 
Houston who combined the cool patience of Fabius and the 
courage of Cassar said "Texas cannot afford another Alamo 
or Goliad." We must retreat before Santa Anna and his 
veteran hosts till they become careless and we see the golden 
opportunity to strike the fatal blow." Besides it was a pro- 
found state secret that there was an understanding between 
Gen. Gaines of the United States army, and Gen. Houston 
that if necessary the Texans should retreat near the Sabine, 
when four thousand United States soldiers with guns should 
desert, and annihilate Santa Anna at a blow. And with the 
president and generals .and munitions of war all captured 
march to the banks of the Rio Grande and demand the recog- 
nition of Texas independence or invade Mexico and make 
her pay the expenses of the war. The Texans therefore against 
many bitter protests retreated to the banks of the San Jacinto. 
The stream was overflowing and the boats washed away. 
Gen. Houston ordered Gen. Burleson to cut down Vince's 
house and build rafts on which the Texans could cross the 
San Jacinto river if necessary. Gen. Burleson replied, "I will 
give the order, but it will not be obeyed, the boys did not come 
here to build bridges, but to fight. Besides they have no saws, 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 773 

axes or materials to build bridges.' 7 Gen. Houston said "Are 
they all ready to die fighting?" Gen. Burleson replied, 
"Every man is ready." 

At that auspicious moment Deaf Smith the great spy, hav- 
ing captured Santa Anna's courier and dispatches rode into 
camp. Santa Anna wrote, "I am disgusted chasing these 
Texans like mule-eared rabbits over the prairie, I will leave 
to my generals the chase and will return to Mexico." The 
eagle-eyed Houston saw the auspicious moment had come. He 
immediately called a council of war and agreed to make the 









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SANTA ANNA TRYING TO MARSHAL HIS TROOPS AT SAN JACINTO. 

attack at- 3 :30 o'clock April 21st, when they knew every 
Mexican would be taking his evening nap or Siesta, preparing 
for a night of gambling. Deaf Smith was ordered to cut down 
the bridge over Vince's Bayou — a deep boggy stream, empty- 
ing into the San Jacinto, and cut off all hope of escape or 
recruits for Santa Anna. Precisely at 3 : 30 o'clock seven hun- 
dred and eighty-four Texas heroes with glad hearts heard the 
command "Forward march." "Reserve your fire till in point 
blank shot and take deadly aim then rush to the charge with 



774 The Life and Writings of 

the terrible battle cry, "Remember the Alamo, Remember 
Goliad." 

All of which was done with such deadly aim that over 
three hundred and fifty Mexicans fell dead or wounded. Santa 
Anna aroused from his fatal nap, hurriedly put on his magnifi- 
cent uniform, mounted his fiery charger and rushed to the 
front. But was horrified to see the veterans that had followed 
him in thirty-two victories, falling like wheat before the 
mowers scythe or throwing down their guns and fleeing in 
wild confusion crying, "Me no Alamo, me no Goliad." Hor- 
ror stricken he wheeled his fiery war horse and fled from the 
field of battle. 

Dashing up to Vince's bridge he saw it was burned down 
and all hope of escape gone. He plunged his fiery steed into 
the boggy stream and immediately sank to the bottom. 
Scrambling from the boggy stream drenched in water and cov- 
ered with mud "the Napoleon of the West said these Texas 
devils will know me by my uniform and murder me." So 
hastily throwing of his military coat, hat, pants and boots 
he fled like "a mule-eared rabbit across the prairie." Thus in 
eighteen minutes the glorious Battle of San Jacinto was won 
by you and Santa Anna fleeing across the prairie about dark 
reached a live oak grove and utterly exhausted and heart- 
broken he sat down at the root of a tree and bewailed his utter 
ruin. Very soon amid thick darkness, innumerable wolves 
smelling the blood of the battle field gathered in the grov3 
and howled fearfully. "The Napoleon of the West climbed 
a tree and all night long listened to the fierce howling of the 
wolves and the fiercer clamors of his own guilty conscience. 
As he reflected on his bloody career in Mexico and at the 
Alamo and Goliad, methinks he saw the avenging ghosts of 
Travis, Bonham, Bowie and thousands of heroes that he had 
butchered. Next morning at daylight, with bleeding feet and 
a heavy heart, he bent his steps westward, but soon he saw 
three of Gen. Burleson's men on his track. Concealing him- 
self in the high grass he pretended to be dead. But young 
Lieutenant Sylvester said, "Come out of there old coon or T 
will put another bullet hole through you." Trembling and 
astonished he said, "I will give you this gold watch and chain 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 775 

if you will let me go." The heroic youth said, "I care noth- 
ing for your watch, you are my prisoner.' 7 Santa Anna then 
said, "I have a gold mine in Mexico worth millions which I 
will give you if you will let me have your mule and escape." 
The young hero said, "I care nothing for your gold mine, you 
must go to Gen. Houston. In the meantime two other soldiers 
joined him and driving Santa Anna before them with 
limping and bleeding feet, till young Sylvester said, "Get 
up behind me on my mule and ride." Thus the inso- 
lent hero, who forty-five days before, mounted the broken- 



ly? m 



i \y 






mm 



SANTA ANNA BEFORE GENERAL HOUSTON. 

hearted heroine of the Alamo on a mule and sent her 
to the Texas camp, now takes "his mule ride across the 
prairies." His only hope was that, without pants, boots or 
hat, and covered with mud he would not be recognized. But 
as he rode into the Texas camp the Mexican prisoners shouted 
in horror "El Presidente, Antonio Lopez De Santa Anna," 
Entering Gen. Houston's tent he fell a,t his feet, crying, "Oh, 
spare a ruined man, you are born to no common destiny, you 
have conquered the Napoleon of the "West." "While scores of 
infuriated Texans crowded around the tent and shouted, 



776 The Life and "Writings of 

"Shoot him, hang him, burn him," Gen. Houston with the 
magnanimity of a hero and a statesman requested Gen. Rusk 
and Gen. Burleson to go among the soldiers and request them 
to be quiet, that it would be a disgrace to the civilization of 
Texas to murder a prisoner of war, however guilty. Soon all 
was quiet, save the throbbing of the guilty heart and the groan- 
ing of Santa Anna. 

Santa Anna piteously begged for morphine or opium or 
anything that would quiet his nerves and drown the horrid 
memories of the past, and the more dreadful present. The 
physician fearing that he intended suicide allowed him only 
enough to put him to sleep. When he awoke from that horrid 
stupor he issued orders to Filosola and all his other officers to 
evacuate Texas at once, and to commit no depredations on 
property or persons. Santa Anna also entered into a treaty 
with Houston that war should cease and the Independence of 
Texas should be recognized. Swift couriers were sent all over 
Texas with the joyful tidings of victory, and requesting all 
those fleeing from Santa Anna and his "black angels" to re- 
turn home in safety. 

Veteran Fathers : The world never witnessed a grander 
victory. Seven hundred and eighty-three half-armed militia 
conquering in open field two thousand four hundred veterans 
thoroughly equipped with cannon and all the munitions of 
war. But your victory over Santa Anna and his hordes only 
called you to a grander battle and a .grander victory. For 
as Gen. Houston said to the ten thousand people that crowded 
the wharves at New Orleans to catch a glimpse of the wounded 
hero of San Jacinto, Texas has conquered the Mexicans by 
her own bare arm, but she has a grander battle to fight before 
she can be truly free and truly great. She must conquer her 
passions, her sins and herself, and in this second greater battle, 
we must invoke the aid of the ministers of the gospel, the 
ladies and of the God of Battle." The greatest danger of any 
great struggle either in states, in churches or colleges is after 
the battle is fought. A few "smart Alecks" and "thunder- 
stealers" who stood aloof in the hour of danger come clamor- 
ously to the front, claiming all the honors and demanding 
supreme control. And scarcely had the din and smoke of bat- 



Dr. Rufits C. Burleson. 777 

tie died away from the plains of San Jacinto than these "smart 
Alecks/' came flocking like vultures to the carcass. They 
stirred up the evil passions of the army and of the mob. They 
declared that "Houston and Burnet and their allies were old 
fogies or traitors because they did not execute Santa Anna." 
They demanded that Santa Anna be brought back from the 
ship and turned over to them. And because President Bur- 
net and his cabinet refused, these "smart Alecks" sent a body 
of soldiers to arrest the venerable President and his cabinet. 
But in this second and more dreadful invasion of the mob and 
anarchy, venerable fathers you come boldly to the front and 




BATTLE OF SAN JACINTO. 

demonstrated to the world that you were as wise in council as 
heroic on the battle field. Gen. Jackson declared "That your 
treatment of Santa Anna and crushing the anarchists showed 
greater heroism and wisdom than the battle of San Jacinto." 
The world was surprised to learn that there were more states- 
men, graduates of great colleges in the Convention of 
1836 than any Constitutional Convention that ever assembled 
on this continent. There were also great men who had gradu- 
ated in the great University of "Common sense and Neces- 
sity." These grand statesmen, while invaded and threatened 



T78" The Life and Writings of 

by eight million Mexicans and thirty thousand Indians and 
a fearful army of reckless men who never smelt gunpowder, 
laid the deep and broad foundation of the Eepublic of Texas 
in morality, religion and education. Your provision for free 
schools, a university, railroads and commerce attracted the 
admiration of the world. Thoughtful men everywhere saw 
that Houston, Eusk and Austin were not giants among pig- 
mies, but Titans 'among Titans. Venerable fathers yon are 
not only entitled to our love and gratitude for your heroism 
on the field of battle and your profound statesmanship, but 
you have added another star, the "Lone Star" and the bright- 
est that glitters in the galaxy of freedom. 

You have given the Paradise of the New World to God 
and liberty. 

The world is just beginning to realize the vast resources 
of Texas. But all great and far-seeing men have long under- 
stood the greatness of Texas. Fifty-six years ago the great 
and venerable Jesse Mercer, of Georgia, gave $2,500 to send 
two great missionaries, Dr. Tryon and Dr. Huckins, to Texas. 
He said the soil and climate of Texas are the finest in the 
world. It is located on the Gulf of Mexico the Mediterranean 
of the New World, and must become the home of teeming 
millions, and I want to send great and good men to write "Holi- 
ness to the Lord" on the foundation stones. Thirty years ago 
George Peabody, the millionaire and philanthropist of Lon- 
don, gave $3,500,000 to enable the impoverished South to 
establish a system of Free Schools. He repeatedly said to his 
distinguished agent, Dr. Barnas Sears, "Look well to Texas, 
and use my money freely in establishing schools of learning 
there, for Texas must become the empire state of America." 
But lest some may think these glowing statements are the 
coloring of the imagination, let us look at the facts and the 
figures. Texas has two hundred and seventy-four thousand 
square miles and is twenty-six times larger than Rhode Island. 
Texas is larger by ten thousand square miles than Maine, New 
Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecti- 
eut, Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio and West Virginia. And 
this vast dominion is no desert of Sahara or "Dismal Swamp." 
It has less waste land than any territory of equal size on the 




Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 779 

globe. Its mountain ranges above San Marcos and San An- 
tonio equal the Alps, the Appennines and Blue Ridge in purity 
of air and health. Her valleys, by actual measurement, equal 
the Kile in fertility. Texas has an area of sugar and orange 
land equal to Louisiana, an area of cotton land equal to Mis- 
sissippi, an area of wheat and small grain equal to Tennessee, 
and an area of pasture land for horses, cows and sheep equal 
to Kentucky, an area for iron ore, coal and granite equal to 
Pennsylvania, and an area of pine, juniper, Bois d'Arc, and 
live oak equal to Maine. So that Texas has, in her broad 
bosom all the productions, all the timbers, and minerals for 
manufacturing and supplying all the wants and the markets 
of the world. In addition to all these glorious blessings God 
has bestowed upon Texas, He has given a climate just adapted 
to the highest talents and development of civilization. The 
climate of Texas is similar to Greece, Rome and Palestine. 
And it is a remarkable fact that all the great nations and think- 
ers of antiquity have lived within one hundred miles of the 
Mediterranean Sea. Cold freezing climates freeze up the 
bodies and dwarf the minds of men, while the torrid zone 
relaxes the body and enervates the mind. Hence the grand 
thinkers and the highest civilizations of the world have ever 
been in a similar latitude and climate to this Paradise which 
you, venerable fathers, rescued from barbarism and gave to 
religion and civilization. For this priceless boon which you, 
aided and encouraged by the Daughters of the Republic, gave 
to us, all Waco welcomes and greets you with three-fold cheers. 
And the world will inscribe your deeds and heroism high up 
on the tablets of fame, among the names of Romulus, Alfred 
the Great and Peter the Great, the few, the immortal names 
that were not born to die. 



ERA OF MISSION'S. 

The second great era of Texas history is justly called the 
Era of Missions. This era began in 1687, and ended about 
1800, a period of one hundred and thirteen years. These 
Missions were established by the Franciscan Monks. The 
zeal, the sacrifice and the martyrdoms of these Monks have 



780 



The Life and Writings of 



excited the admiration of the world and were worthy of a 
purer faith. These missions when fully equipped, had a large 
church, a strong military fortification, with smaller houses for 
the monks and barracks for soldiers, all of solia rock. To these 
were added gardens, orchards and fields. The historic and well 
known mission of the Alamo is a model of all Catholic mis-* 
sions. The object of the mission stations was two-fold. 1. To 
convert the savages to the Roman Catholic religion. 2. To 
hold the territory for the sovereigns. How largely this latter 
element entered into the glowing zeal of the Catholics may be 
inferred from two facts. 1. The Spanish Catholics allowed 




THE ALAMO. 

the two hundred thousand Indians in Texas to grope in utter 
darkness from the discovery of Don Espejo, in 1620, to the 
landing of La Salle, the Frenchman, without sending a single 
priest, monk or nun. But as soon as the French colony under 
La Salle, located in Matagorda bay, and erected Fort St. Louis, 
the whole Catholic Spanish world was on fire. The gallant 
Count Monclova sent Captain Alonzo DeLeon to drive out the 
French and established missionary forts from the Rio Grande 
to the Sabine. He at once founded the mission of San Juan 
Baptista (St. John the Baptist), on the Rio Grande and pro- 
jected another armed mission at the deserted fort of La Salle 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 781 

at St. Louis. 2. A second fact illustrates the strong material 
element in these Catholic missions. Marquis Casa Fuesta 
visited Texas and seeing its vast fertility, induced the King of 
Spain to spend $72,000 to introduce sixteen Catholic families 
to strengthen the mission on the San Antonio, among whom 
were the ISTavarros, Yeremandis, Delgados, and others whose 
names have become a glory to Texas. The difficulties of con- 
verting the Indians was great. One pious priest laments they 
first had to convert them from beasts to men, and then convert 
them into Catholics. And as they regarded them as beasts, 
they did not regard the Indians as possessing the rights of 
human beings. This doleful fact was painfully exhibited by 
that zealous Catholic saint, De Soto, and his associate knights, 
who, in his work of converting the Indians, carried along 
fourteen priests, a vast number of blood-hounds and handcuffs, 
and who, having left their wives on San Domingo, captured 
twenty-five beautiful Alabama Indian girls and carried them 
in all their wanderings, as cooks and concubines. Such 
harsh treatment often enraged the sons of the forest, who 
murdered the missionaries and burned down their mission 
forts as at San Saba. The result was, Catholic missions for 
one hundred and thirteen years were an utter failure so 
tar as converting Indians. No vestige of Christianity is found 
among any tribe in Texas. All that is left of the toils of one 
hundred and thirteen years are vast stone buildings, fast 
crumbling into ruin, as San Jose, and others. Fit emblems of 
the creed of the founders. But in a material point, as military 
fortifications, they did succeed finally in holding Texas secure 
against all the invasions of the Louisiana French and the 
Fredonians under Nolan, Magee, Long and their brave but 
misguided allies. 

The various missions in Texas were established by Fran- 
ciscan monks, under the auspices of the Spanish government, 
and were called Presidios. These missions consisted of the 
chapel for worship, the cells for the monks, the dwellings for 
the inhabitants, and a fort for defense. The mission was under 
an officer of the army, who, in most matters, was under the 
control of the priest. In 1690 the Mission of San Francisco 
was established on the Lavaca river, at Fort St. Louis, by 



782 



The Life and Writings of 



the Spanish under Captain Alonzo De Leon. In the same year 
that of San Juan Baptista was founded on the Kio Grande 
river. In 1714 Captain Kamon established the Mission of San 
Bernard, also Mission of Adaes, among the Indians of that 
name, fifteen miles west of Natchitoches. In 1715 was estab- 
lished the Mission of Dolores, west of Sabine, among the 
Orquisaco Indians. . In the same year a mission was founded 
among the Nacogdoches Indians, near the site of the present 
town of that name; also another among the Adaes Indians, 
near the site of the present town of San Augustine. The mis- 
sion fortress of San Antonio de Talero was soon after this es- 







PRIESTS AND ATTENDANTS LEAVING THE ALAMO. 

tablished on the San Pedro river, near the site of the present 
city of San Antonio. Captain Don Ramon, who was the most 
efficient and active in building up these missions, was a great 
favorite among the Indians, who adopted him as a son, and as- 
sisted him in his labors. In the year 1721, a post and mission 
was located at the crossing of the Naches, and another on the 
Bay of San Bernard, called "Our Lady of Loretto." In the 
same year, the Mission of La Bahia (the bay), was established 
at the lower crossing of the San Antonio river. In 1730, the 
church of San Frando, in the present city of San Antonio, was 
founded. In 1731 was established not far from the same 



De. Kufus C.Burleson. 783 

place, the Mission of La Purissimaa Conception de Acuna. 
The Mission of San Jose alluded to above under another name 
deserves a more extended notice. It was first founded on the 
Eio Grande in 1703. Five years afterward it was moved to 
a place called Ildephonso. In 1710 it was taken back to the 
Eio Grande, where it continued under the charge of good 
Father Jose de Soto until 1713, when it was removed to the 
west bank of the San Pedro about a mile from the main plaza 
of the present city of San Antonio. From this time it was 
called San Antonio de Yelero. Here it continued until 1722, 
when, for better protection against the Indians, it was removed 
with the post to San Antonio river. It remained here, and in 
1744, the walls of the Church of the Alamo, which was never 
finished, were erected. 

The chapel was used in connection with the Mission of 
San Antonio de Valero, called by some, San Jose del Alamo, 
until the latter part of the eighteenth century, when all the 
missions in Texas were secularized, or subordinated to the 
Spanish civil authorities. 

The missions of Texas yet stand, and will for many 
centuries continue to speak from their crumbling ruins, in 
trumpet tongues, of the self-sacrificing labors and devotions of 
the Franciscan missionaries, whose efforts to convert the native 
Indians to Christianity challenges the highest admiration. 



THE ERA OF FREDOKTANS OR FILIBUSTERS. 

The third era of Texas History has been called the era 
of Fredonians or Filibusters. And no part of Texas history is 
so little understood as to its origin and intention. The 
great leaders in the expeditions against Spanish rule were 
Philip ISTolan, Magee, the gallant Kemper and Perry, Aaron 
Burr, Aury and Mina and the heroic Gen. James Long. These 
men have generally been regarded as armed banditti, seeking 
by violence and sword to wrest from a peaceable nation their 
territory and property merely for plunder and power. ISTo 
doubt a love for excitement and heroic deeds had a powerful 



784 The Life and "Writings of 

influence on the Fredonian leaders and their dauntless follow- 
ers. But underlying these there were noble principles that 
atone in part for their mistake. 

These Fredonian expeditions originated in the spirit of 
the times which grew out of the mighty commotions and that 
ultimately culminated in the "Monroe Doctrine." 

The crowned heads of Europe, alarmed at the powerful 
spirit of Republicanism, as seen in the Republic of the United 
States and the Republic of France, formed the Holy (unholy) 
Alliance to crush the republican spirit in every part of the 
world. As this was really a declaration of war against our 
young republic, and as a means of self-preservation, there was 
a burning desire to wipe from existence the last vestige of royal 
authority over the American continent. 

These sentiments were embodied in a heroic poem written 
by a Kentuckian, called "The Fredonians." The heroic ro- 
mance was dedicated to LaFayette, and represented the armies 
of the Fredonians as pouring down from the United States £ad 
sweeping away the last vestige of kingly rule, and establishing 
republics over this whole continent, north and south. 

The first leader that caught the Fredonian spirit was 
Philip Nolan, an Irishman by birth, but many years a citizen 
of Kentucky, and then a successful trader at Natchez. 

Nolan's plan was, under pretext of buying and catching 
wild horses, to travel over all Texas, becoming acquainted with 
the people, and draw up a map of the whole country and learn 
the best points of attack. 

He had secretly arranged, as soon as the horses could be 
procured, for twelve hundred mounted Fredonians to sweep 
over the prairies of Texas and wipe out the last vestige of 
Mexican authority. But Gayoso, the French governor of 
Louisiana, and one of Nolan's men, betrayed his plans, and the 
Spanish governor, DeNavra, ordered Musquis, of Nacog- 
doches, to arrest Nolan and his band. 

Musquis with one hundred mounted soldiers was piloted 
by Indians to Nolan's fort, near Richland creek, five miles 
from Tehuacana Hills. A desperate battle followed. Nolai* 
was killed by a cannon ball at the first fire. The heroic Ellis 
P. Bean, a Tennesseean and boyhood friend of Gen. Sam 



. .._ 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 785 

Houston, succeeded in command and kept up the fight for 
several hours. Overwhelmed by numbers and death-dealing 
cannon balls, Bean and his men surrendered as prisoners of war 
and were marched over the vast prairies to the City of Mexico. 
The King of Spain ordered every fifth man to be hung and the 
remainder were sentenced to ten years hard labor, during 
which time they all perished except the gallant Bean, who was 
in courage, a Hector, and in shrewdness a Ulysses. He by 
turns was a hatter, a manufacturer of powder and shot. He 
charmed a white lizard in his lonely cell, and on the streets 
won the heart and hand of a beautiful Mexican heiress. He 
became an adopted citizen of Mexico and a great leader of the 
sons of freedom against Spanish tyrants. When Mexico be- 
came a republic he was sent back to Texas as Mexican minis- 
ter, especially to control the Indians in East Texas. He es- 
tablished his headquarters at Mound Prairie, forty miles from 
the spot where he was captured. Bean was afterwards sent as 
Mexican minister to the United States. He crossed the gulf 
on one of LaFitte's ships. Landing on the east coast of Louis- 
iana, he and LaFitte hearing a great battle was pending against 
the British, wended their way through 'the swamps to General 
Jackson's army at New Orleans. Bean was well known to 
General Jackson, who at once put him in charge of a battery. 
He visited his old home in Tennessee, but returned to his 
beautiful home and devoted wife in Mexico and became a great 
leader in the wars of Mexico for her liberty. He spent the 
last days of his heroic and wonderful life on his splendid 
hacienda near Jalapa and died in 1845 at the age of 61. 

His forty-five years of heroic deeds for liberty would 
make a volume surpassing all the dreams of fiction. 

The celebrated but ill-fated Aaron Burr planned the 
second Fredonian expedition. As the base of his operations 
he bought from the pure and knightly Baron de Bastrop, 
four hundred thousand acres of land near Bastrop, La., and 
was collecting men and means for invading Mexico. While 
Burr was contemplating the invasion Gen. Wilkinson and 
Governor Claiborne and even Gen. Adair, of Kentucky, and 
Gen. Jackson looked encouragingly on his plans. But he had 
murdered in a duel the high-souled Alexander Hamilton, and 

50 



786 The Life axd Writings of 

his mighty intellect was steeped in hate and wild ambition, 
and it was soon fonnd that he had conceived the treasonable 
plan of disintegrating all the Mississippi valley from the 
United States and nniting it to his Mexican territory as far 
as the Sierra Madre mountains. 

When it was hinted to Burr that the United States con- 
gress might interfere with his plans, he said with the malignity 
of a Catiline or Benedict Arnold, "If congress attempts to in- 
terfere with my plans I will turn congress neck and heels out 
of doors, assassinate the president, seize upon the treasury and 
navy and declare myself the protector of an energetic govern- 
ment.' 7 As soon as Burr's dark and treasonable designs were 
known he was abandoned by all good men, was arrested for 
treason and tried before Chief Justice Marshall at Bichmond, 
and the gifted but depraved man ended his old age in dark- 
ness, poverty and gloom. 

The third and most formidable Fredonian expedition was 
inaugurated by Col. A. W. Magee, a distinguished graduate of 
West Point, and an officer of the United States army, sent to 
guard the interests of good citizens against a band of outlaws 
who infested the neutral territory between Sabiner and Arroyo 
Hondo. These outlaws were refugees from justice in the 
United States and exiled republicans and criminals from Mex- 
ico. The gallant Magee resolved to form an army of this reck- 
less and daring element and rescue Texas from the imbecile 
tyrants of Spain. Don Bernardo Gutierez, a Mexican repub- 
lican leader who had been driven out of Mexico by the Royal- 
ist forces, was made the nominal leader of the expedition^ 
called the Bepublican Army of the North." 

A proclamation was issued inviting all lovers of liberty 
and enemies of tyranny to join them. Many noble, chivalrous 
young men from Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Louis- 
iana nocked to the republican banner. An army variously es- 
timated from eight hundred and fifty to thirteen hundred and 
eighty-two crossed the Sabine in June, 1812. The small Boy- 
alist army stationed at Nacogdoches fled on their approach. 

The Fredonians captured Goliad without resistance No- 
vember 1, 1812, but on the 7th an army of two thousand Span- 
iards under Salcedo and Herrera attacked the Fredonians 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 787 

with infantry, cavalry and artillery, but were driven back with 
great loss. The Royalists then resolved to cut of! all supplies- 
by a regular siege which lasted three months, from November 
9, 1812, to February 9, 1813, during which time the gallant 
Magee died of consumption and the military stores were en- 
tirely exhausted. The heroic Kemper was elected to succeed 
Magee. The Fredonians, though outnumbered five to one, 
resolved to sally forth and meet the besiegers in the open field. 
The Eoyalists after a bloody battle of four hours fled in utter 
confusion, leaving nearly four hundred dead and as many 
wounded. The Fredonians lost two killed and thirty wounded. 
In utter shame to be thus vanquished, the leaders rallied their 
flying forces and returned to their former position, but after 
ten days they secretly decamped by night and fled to San 
Antonio. The Fredonians pressed them and captured immense 
army stores and guns and wagons and fifteen hundred head of 
horses and mules. 

The retreating foe made another stand at Salado creek, 
near San Antonio, but were speedily driven from their ambus- 
cade and fled in utter route to San Antonio, leaving vast army 
stores and three thousand horses and mules. On April 5 the 
victors entered San Antonio. Generals Herrea and Salcedo 
and the whole Royalist army now reduced to eight hundred, 
surrendered as prisoners of war. On April 6, a local govern- 
ment was formed and Gutierez, who had acted as subordi- 
nate, now came to the front and was elected governor with a 
council of eleven Mexicans and two Americans. 

Intense dissensions arose as to the disposition to be made 
of the prisoners, the Americans insisting they should be treated 
humanely as prisoners of war, while the Mexicans clamored 
for their immediate execution. It so happened that the Roy- 
alist leader, Salcedo, while governor of Texas at San Antonio, 
had inhumanely cut off the head of the father of Antonio Dei- 
gado and fastened it to the end of a pole at the lower crossing 
of San Antonio , river, to be picked and devoured by the 
vultures. 

Young Delgado now clamored for the revenge of his 
father's murder. Under pretext of carrying Salcedo and the 
fourteen leading Royalists to Matagorda to be sent to Spain 



7S8 The Life and Writings of 

they were carried down into the San Antonio river bottom and 
stripped and beheaded, and the head of Governor Salcedo was 
raised on the top of a pole at the same spot where he had 
formerly suspended the head of the elder Delgado. 

While all the Americans readily admitted a son could 
desire to revenge the death of a father, yet they were so dis- 
gusted with this inhuman murder of prisoners that Kemper, 
Ross and Hall and many others retired to the United States. 
Those remaining elected Col. Perry. 

While Governor Gutierez and the younger Delgado were 
reveling in wine and the blood and plunder of their enemies, 
suddenly Don Y. Elisonda with a large army appeared on the 
heights of Alazan overlooking San Antonio on the west. 

For a short time the Fredonians were in confusion and 
.dismay, but they soon rallied and rushed forth at daybreak 
and defeated, after a long and fierce battle, and chased the 
flying Royalists to the Medina river. 

The Fredonians did not wait to be attacked in San An- 
tonio, but rushed forth to attack the Royalists on the banks of 
the Medina. 

After a long and bloody battle and a reckless display of 
courage and the dastardly desertion to the enemy of Captain 
Musquiz with a large number of Mexicans, the Fredonians 
were utterly routed. The Royalist cavalry chased them back 
to the Sabine river. Only ninety-two of the thirteen hundred 
and eighty-two recrossed the Sabine river. Among the cap- 
tured was young Antonio Delgado. He was carried to that 
same bloody spot where he murdered Salcedo for the murder 
of his father, and butchered. The brutal Arredonda impris- 
oned seven hundred peaceable citizens. Three hundred were 
confined in one house on the 12th of August and eighteen of 
them died from suffocation. He imprisoned ^xve hundred of 
the wives and daughters of the patriots and made them con- 
vert twenty-four bushels of corn into tortillas for his brutal 
soldiers. 

From day to day patriots were shot without trial and their 
property wholly confiscated. These scenes of savage brutality 
continued for three weeks till Elisonda returned from pursu- 
ing the routed Fredonians out of Texas. He returned driving 



Db. Eufus C. Buelesox. 78£ 

before him on foot the wives and daughters of those whom 
he had murdered. 

Thus ended the third Predonian expedition. 

The fourth expedition was organized and led by Commo- 
dore DeAury. As the former expeditions by land had been 
so unfortunate, Aury determined to attack Mexico by water. 
Galveston was selected as the place of rendezvous and the port 
from which they would sail. The terrible delusion of the 
Predonians was that if they could but get into Mexico thou- 
sands of down-trodden patriots would rally around the banner 
of liberty. 

Commodore Aury was joined by Commodore Xavier 
Mina wiih two hundred men and several ships and also the 
gallant Col. Perry who had so marvelousiy escaped from the 
fatal rout at Medina, and had rallied one hundred heroic young 
men, and lastly several of the Old Guard of Xapoleon who had 
settled under Gen. L'Allemand at Liberty (Libertad), with 
their undying hatred for tyrants, left their vineyards on the 
Trinity and joined Aury to blot out royalty from this con- 
tinent. 

Thus equipped Commodore Aury set sail from Galveston 
April 6, 1817, to attack the city of Sota la Maria on Santander 
river, sixty miles from the coast. 

After the easy conquest of the city the three leaders, 
Aury, Mina and Perry, quarreled about that ancient, foolish,, 
little question that has ruined so many good men and causes : 
"Who of us shall be the greatest?" Aury took his men and 
ships and sailed away to Texas, but finding the pirate, LaFitte, 
had been expelled from his Barataria home by Commodore 
Patterson of the United States navy he landed at Matagorda, 
and soon afterward abandoned Texas forever. 

Gen. Mina gained some splendid victories, but to his 
great disappointment the Republican forces in Mexico did not 
rally to his support. His army wasted away by continual 
fighting till he was captured and shot Xovember 19, 1817. 
The gallant Col. Perry, finding the army too small to main- 
tain their position in Santa Marina, and the expected recruits 
not coming to their aid, fought his way back to Goliad, a dis- 
tance of five hundred miles. With a reckless desire for blot- 



790 The Life and Writings of 

ling out the Royalist forces he resolved to capture the small 
garrison at Goliad. But after terms of surrender were agreed 
upon the great Royalist, Gen. Arrodondo, arrived with a large 
cavalry force. The Fredonians were fiercely assailed in front 
and rear and when his last man fell the brave but misguided 
Perry exclaimed : "I will never die by the hands of cowards, " 
and blew out his own brains. Thus ended the fourth Fredon- 
ian or Don Quixotic scheme for expelling the Royalists from 
this continent. 

Gen. James Long, a surgeon in Jackson's army at New 
Orleans, organized the fifth and last Fredonian expedition. 
He was the son-in-law of Gen. Wilkinson and a wealthy 
Mississippi planter. He and his heroic bride, nee Miss Jane 
Wilkinson, pined for heroic deeds in banishing kingcraft 
from this continent. And in despite of all the sad failures of 
the past he collected an army of three hundred men at Nacog- 
doches and proclaimed the independence of Texas, and formed 
a legislature and council, among whom was the unfortunate 
Gutierez. He scattered his small force along the Brazos and 
Trinity from Red River to Galveston. 

He established his headquarters at Bolivar Point. He 
sent General Gains to Galveston to enlist, by all means, that 
brave and wily pirate, LaFitte, in his expedition. But that 
wily chief knew too much of the Spanish character and their 
hatred against foreign invaders to engage in such an imprac- 
ticable scheme. 

The Spanish General, Perez, annihilated all Long's 
scattered forces along the Brazos and Trinity rivers and killed 
his brother, David Long. Yet, nothing daunted, he gathered 
up what remained of his scattered forces and pushed onward 
and captured Goliad. In the meantime Mexico had expelled 
her royal tyrants and become a republic. The Spanish com- 
mander at San Antonio claiming to be a Republican, assured 
Long and his men they should be protected if they would join 
him and submit to his authority. They were entrapped by 
this false representation, disarmed and marched to the city of 
Mexico where Long was basely assassinated and his one hun- 
dred and eighty men were given the alternative of entering 
the Mexican army or toiling on the public works. But the 




Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 



791 



noblest heroine of all the misguided Fredonians was Mrs. Jane 
Wilkinson Long. 

Gen. Long had left her and her two children with her 
sister, Mrs. Carit, in Louisiana, but when she heard of the 
perils of her husband she mounted a war-horse, traveled five 
hundred miles with Col. Kan die Jones to join her husband at 
Bolivar Point. "When Gen. Long set out for Goliad, he left 
his heroic wife to hold the fort till he returned. 

After long delay and hearing nothing of the fate of Gen. 
Long, the soldiers began to desert. But she bravely said, "I 





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MRS. LONG FIRING THE CANNON. 

will never go hence till my husband returns. You may all 
leave me, and I may die, but when he comes back my bones 
will tell him I was faithful to him." When left alone with 
her nurse and little babe she fired the morning and evening 
artillery salute and kindled up a number of fires inside of the 
fortification to make the Indians and Mexicans believe the 
fort was strongly fortified. As indeed it was, for when, after 
two years the ISTew Orleans merchants sent out a boat to bring 
home the lone heroine, they found the fort strongly manned 
by one brave praying woman. 



792 The Life and Writings of 

Thus ended the fifth and last Fredonian expedition, ex- 
tending over an era of more than twenty years. 

These invasions had so embittered the Mexicans against 
the people of the United States, or "Los Americanos Diabolos," 
that Salcedo and Martinez said if possible they would kill 
every bird that flew over the dividing line between the United 
States and Mexico. 

The whole Fredonian blunder was : 

1. In not remembering the eternal hatred that has 
burned in every Spanish bosom against foreign invaders. The 
fire nursed by the songs of the Cids burns as fiercely to-day 
as it did in 1609, when they expelled the last of the Moorish 
invaders from Spain. 

2. The only true way to extend our republican institu- 
tions is not by the sword, but by showing by our examples that 
we have the best form of government in the world. And in 
ail commercial, railroad and social relations with all nations 
powerful or weak, show our profound, 'honest regard for their 
rights. 

These are the only methods for dethroning kings and 
girdling this planet with light, liberty and Christian civiliza- 
tion. 

The reader will note the true Fredonians must never be 
confounded with the lawless followers of Hayden Edwards 
who unjustly and for bad purposes assumed the name Fre- 
donians, in 1826. The true Fredonians were struggling for 
liberty, Hayden Edwards was for seizing land not his own. 



ERA OF COLONIZATION. 

"We now propose to discuss the fourth and grandest step 
in Texas' greatness — the Era of Colonization by our heroic 
pioneers, Moses Austin and Stephen F. Austin, S. C. Robert- 
son, Ben R. Milan, Green DeWitt, and their noble co-laborers, 
the real founders of Christian civilization in Texas. To un- 
derstand fully the liberal yet changeable and contradictory 
colonization laws and policy of Mexico, four great underlying 



De. Burns C. Burleson. 793 

facts must be remembered. 1st. Mexico wanted a barrier 
between her northern states and the dreaded Comanches, who 
often rode into San Antonio and other towns and plundered 
and murdered the inhabitants. They wanted brave Anglo- 
American colonists to hold in check and chastise these dreaded 
Arabs of our prairies. 2nd. They wanted to imitate the 
example of the United States, not only in her republican con- 
stitution and government, but in her encouragement of foreign 
immigration by which the United States had grown so 
powerful. 

But these two powerful motives in favor of colonization 
wrre modified by two other powerfully opposing principles, 
first, an inherent dread and hatred of foreigners, which all 
Spaniards have cherished since their conflicts in expelling 
their terrible enemies, the Moors, from Spain in 1350, and 
second, their special dread of Americans from their twenty 
years 7 conflict with the Fredonians led on by the dauntless 
Nolan, Magee, Kemper and Long. Influenced by the two 
first motives, Mexico gave every colonist with a family, one 
league, or four thousand four hundred and forty-eight acres, 
and one labor or one hundred and seventy-seven acres of land 
and freedom from all taxes for six years, and granted them all 
the rights of freemen, and by the constitution of the republic 
forbade any change in regard to colonization prior to 1840. 

But under the strong influence of the last principles of 
hate and prejudice the Mexicans violated their plighted faith, 
violated their constitution and forbade all future immigration 
and sought to disarm the colonists to be massacred by the 
bloody savages, and also made the fair land of Texas a penal 
colony for Mexican convicts and outlaws. We must ever re- 
member these great and contradictory principles influencing 
the Mexican people if we desire to understand fully the era 
of colonization and the God-like courage, wisdom and hero- 
ism that enabled the Austins and their noble co-laborers to 
overcome great difficulties and to prepare Texas to become 
the home of millions, and the grandest state between the 
oceans. Every thoughtful person must be led to adore that 
all-wise Providence that prepared men so perfectly qualified 
to be the pathfinders and the foundation builders of liberty 



794 The Life and Writings of 

and civilization in this vast territory — the Paradise of the 
"West — which, in 1820, was filled with savage beasts and stili 
more savage men. Sixty thousand bloody savages roamed 
over our vast prairies and six thousand bigoted Catholic Mexi- 
cans skirted along the coast country from Matamoras and San 
Antonio to Nacogdoches and San Augustine. Stephen F. 
Austin, led by his noble father, Moses, was the forerunner 
or the John the Baptist of the Gospel of American civilization 
in Texas. The Austins, father and son, were men of great 
natural refinement, finished education, fine address, daunt- 
less courage, great common sense and integrity unsurpassed 
by Fabricius himself. Of them Pyrrhus would have said 
that it is easier to turn the noon day sun from his course than 
to turn them from honor and justice. When the elder Austin 
approached the Mexican Alcalde, Martinez in San Antonio, 
and proposed to introduce three hundred American families, 
the indignant governor, filled with the dread and hatred of 
twenty years' war with the Fredonians, ordered him to leave 
Texas immediately under penalty of being arrested and shot. 
As Austin was hastening across the public square, or plaza, 
from the furious governor he providentially met that remark- 
able man, Baron De Bastrop, the embodiment of all that 
is noble in manhood, and in devotion to royalty and dread of 
Republicanism, which he regarded as synonymous with an- 
archy and social ruin. The courtly and princely Baron De 
Bastrop had known the immaculately honest Austin at Bas- 
trop, La., and greeted him warmly and offered to return with 
him to the infuriated Alcalde, and to assure him that Austin 
was no bloody Fredonian, but a quiet and peaceable man who 
would bring a great colony of farmers and stockmen who 
would help to fill up Texas and whip out the dreaded Co- 
manches and be loyal to Mexico. 

The noble old Baron De Bastrop hurried away to the 
timid and furious Alcalde and soon allayed his fears and anger, 
and overtook Austin and presented him to the Governor as a 
peaceable man, abhorring war and bloodshed, but ready to 
plant a colony of farmers and stockmen, who would be a wall 
of protection against the dreaded Comanches, Lipans and 
Apaches. Just as the whole arrangement was consummated, 




Dr. Kufus C. Burlesox. 795 

making Moses Austin an Empressario with authority to intro- 
duce 300 families, granting each family a league and a labor 
of land and exemption from taxes for six years, a revolution 
occurred in Mexico, and the combined forces of Morales and 
Iturbide swept away the last vestige of Spanish royalty, and 
established a republic. The wise and prudent Austin deemed 
it better to make a long and tedious overland journey to the 
City of Mexico to get a confirmation of his authority as Em- 
pressario to introduce 300 families, from the new dynasty. 
After many and terious delays, which nothing could over- 
come but his consummate skill and wisdom, the new 
dynasty confirmed his authority, and he was ready to 
return to Texas. Iturbide was aspiring to make himself 
Emperor on the ruins of the infant Republic of Mexico. 
The republican forces, under the leadership of Santa 
Anna, hurled him from power and drove him into ex- 
ile and restored a republic. The indomitable Austin, 
after long and tedious delays and great expense, got his author- 
ity confirmed by the reigning dynasty. But the toilsome and 
perilous journey of thousands of miles from Missouri to the 
City of Mexico, on which he was robbed and left to live on 
acorns, and all this incessant worry of mind and body, brought 
on disease of the lungs, from which he died at Mr. James 
Bryan's, in Missouri, June 10, 1821. His dying request 
was that his heroic son, Stephen E. Austin, should carry out 
in good faith and without delay his colonization scheme. The 
son entered upon the great and onerous duties and honors 
bequeathed him by his father. Stephen F. Austin, like his 
father, took a solemn oath not to introduce none but honest, 
peaceable men and reject all outlaws and maintain true alle- 
giance to the constitutional authorities of Mexico. TTe call 
special attention to these two points. First, to show that the 
first and earliest Texan s were the purest and most select and 
honorable men that ever settled a new country. And, sec- 
ondly, several writers have recently censured Stephen F. Aus- 
tin for clinging to the Mexican Government and opposing 
Texas' independence so long. But his high sense of honor 
and regard to his solemn oath compelled him to exhaust every 
remedy to secure the rights of Texas before he was released 



796 The Life and Writings of 

from that oath. And nothing gives so exalted a conception 
of Stephen F. Austin as his profound regard for the sanctity of 
his official oath. And especially when his whole life, public 
and private demonstrated that his honor was dearer to him than 
life. Oh that his undying love of truth and justice in public 
and private, could live and grow in the heart and life of every 
Texan. Filled with all these noble principles, Stephen F. 
Austin and fourteen select friends came to Texas to select the 
most favorable location for his colony. After a thorough sur- 
vey of the whole territory in regard to soil, climate and acces- 
sibility to the Gulf, they selected the surpassingly beautiful 
land between the Colorado and Brazos Rivers and the old San 
Antonio road in Burleson and Bastrop Counties and the Gulf 
of Mexico. 

Austin hurried back to meet the coming tide of emi- 
grants and to see that none but good and true men entered 
his new colony. He met ten companies, in one of which was 
the well-known Ban Foster, so long a leading citizen of Fort 
Bend County. Deer, buffalo, wild turkey and wild honey 
were so abundant that no commissary department was needed. 
He found the courtly Baron De Bastrop as devoted to the son 
as he had been to the father, and who consented to become 
land commissioner for Austin's colony. San Felipe De Aus- 
tion was selected as the capital of the colony. Austin, as the 
father of the colony, prepared a plain and simple code of laws. 
And in no part of Texas, or at any time, was there so little 
crime and so much good order. In San Felipe the sainted 
Thomas J. Pilgrim, a Baptist, established the first Sunday- 
school in 1827, and Gail Borden, of condensed milk fame r 
established the newspaper called the "Star and Telegraph. ,r 
ISTear San Felipe, in the house of Moses Shipman, cousin of 
Gen. Ed Burleson, the first gospel sermon was preached by 
Elder Joseph Bayes, a Baptist preacher, in 1827. There, also, 
Mrs. James Allcorn, still living near Brenham, was the first 
person converted in Texas. The prosperity of Austin's 30O 
families was so great that in 1825 he took a second contract 
for introducing 500 families. In 1827 he took a third con- 
tract for 100 families, and in 1828, 300 families more, all of 
the highest character and noted for being industrious, good,, 
moral and law-abiding citizens. 



Dr. Kufits C. Burleson. 797 

The prosperity of these twelve hundred families and the 
glowing accounts of the soil, climate and vast herds of deer 
and buffalo and wild turkey and honey and free grass so 
excited the people on both sides of the Atlantic that in ten 
years sixteen men applied for grants to colonize in different 
parts of Texas, extending from Red River to the Rio Grande. 
Among them were : 

Hayden Edwards, 800 families. 

Frost Thorn, 400 families. 

R. Leftwich and S. C. Robertson, 400 families. 

Stephen J. Wilson, 200 families. 

Vehlin & Co. (French), 400 families. 

David Gr. Burnet, 300 families. 

John L. Woodbury, 200 families. 

John Cameron (Scotch), 399 families. 

John Dorminguez, 200 families. 

Lorenzo De Zavelle (Mexican), 500 families. 

Martin De Leon, 191 families. 

Chambers and Padilla, 800 families. 

McMullen and McCloin (Irish), 300 families. 

But Stephen F. Austin was the only Empresario that 
introduced his full number of families contracted for. The 
eminent success of Austin showed his admirable combination 
of wisdom, justice, energy and common sense, and justly enti- 
tles him to the noble appellation, "The Father of Texas." 
And he should live in every Texas heart. Parents and teach- 
ers should hold him up as a model to all the rising generation. 

The progress of Texas colonization is a striking illustra- 
tion of the vast superiority of an Anglo-Saxon Protestant 
nation over a Spanish Catholic nation. Spain had spent 133 
years and millions of public money trying to colonize Texas, 
and in 1820 had only 6,000 people there. 

While the above is true, the Protestant Anglo-Saxons, in 
ten years, and without a dollar from the public treasury, filled 
Texas with 30,000 brave and resolute colonists, and not only 
checked and chastised the dreaded Indians, but conquered at 
San Jacinto the picked army of 8,000,000 of Mexico's popula- 
tion, and forced them to acknowledge their independence. 



798 



The Life and Writings of 



Time and space do not allow us here to note the failure 
of the celebrated English capitalist, Edward Keene, or the 
sadder failure of the celebrated French Lallemand, who 
attempted to plant a French colony, made up chiefly of Napol- 
eon's Old Guard and other veterans of his grand army. They 
settled at Libertad, now Liberty, and attempted to make wine 
out of mustang grapes. But they scattered, and left only a 
few families, whose descendants still reside on the Trinity. 
Nor, again, the failure of the celebrated infidel, Robert Owen,, 
who endeavored to secure a vast territory between the Brazos 
and the Colorado, to test the folly of trying to found a colony 
on Infidelity and Communism. Failing to secure a grant in 
Texas, he and his followers invested $5,000,000 on the 
Wabash, in Indiana, and founded' there New Harmony col- 
ony, that in thirty years proved the most inharmonious col- 
ony ever founded in America. But all these failures only 
demonstrate the greatness of the colonizers of Texas and 
crown Stephen F. Austin and his co-laborers with undying 
glory. 

STEPHEN F. AUSTIN. 




STEPHEN F. AUSTIN. 



Ill 



The goodness and wisdom of God are eminently displayed 
the grand pathfinders and foundation builders he gave 



'Dr. Eufus C. Burlesox. 799 

Texas. Eminent among these will ever stand Stepen F. 
Austin. His father, Moses Austin, in dying from long jour- 
neys and exposure and desertion of his traveling companions, 
had a glorious assurance that his son Stephen would carry out 
fully his cherished plans of colonizing Texas. Stephen F. 
Austin was born in Austinville, Va., November 3, 1793, the 
same year Sam Houston was born in the same grand state. 

His father moved to Missouri when Stephen was six 
years old. He spent four years in New London Academy, 
Missouri, and graduated in Transylvania University, Ken- 
tucky, then one of the most eminent in the United States. 
"When Missouri was organized into a territory in 1818, Stephen 
F. Austin was elected Territorial Legislator, and rendered 
good service in laying the foundation of Missouri. The next 
year he removed to the Territory of Arkansas, and was imme- 
diately appointed Circuit Judge. "Which office he filled with 
great distinction till the death of his noble father, when he 
was called to take his place in laying the foundation of the 
grandest State in the Union. 

He assumed the grand work in 1821, when twenty-eight 
years old. 

After surveying the vast territory of Texas, he wisely 
selected the rich bottom lands of the Brazos and Colorado 
Hirers, extending from Trinity to Colorado River and from 
what is now known as Bastrop and Burleson Counties to the 
Gulf of Mexico. Austin, father and son, agreed to bring to 
Texas 300 families, all to be farmers and stock raisers of high 
moral character. Each married man was to receive as a bonus 
a league of 4,428 acres for pasturage, and a labor, or 177 acres, 
for cultivation. The whole expense of surveying and per- 
fecting titles was $16.60 in silver. At Natchitoches, Mr. 
Austin was joined by ten companions, one of whom was the 
celebrated Han Foster, the pioneer of Fort Bend County. 
This company of colonizers crossed the Brazos River where 
Washington now stands, and camped the first night on the 
fertile little stream which they called New Year's Creek, as 
it was the first day of January, 1822. This stream is midway 
between Independence and Brenham. Austin was pre-emi- 
nently fitted for his great and delicate work. He was finely 



800 The Life and Writings of 

educated, especially in the history of founding States and 
empires. He was immaculately honest and just to all and firm 
as the rock of Gibraltar. He succeeded so well in locating 300 
families that he took a contract for bringing 500 more. And 
later 200 more, and finally 200 more. The brilliant success 
of Stephen F. Austin induced twelve other men to get grants 
to bring colonists to Texas, but seven out of the twelve proved 
failures. But in a few years Texas increased to wonderfully 
and the Texans were so skillful with guns that the Mexicans 
became alarmed and jealous, and violated every pledge made 
to the colonists. Bustamente, the President of Mexico, abol- 
ished- the Constitution of 1824. His successor, Santa Anna, 
abolished all courts and put Texas under military rule, and 
sent five military tyrants to disarm the Texans, so the Indians 
could come and murder them. Stephen F. Austin advised the 
Texans to do nothing rash, but to send messengers to plead 
with Mexico to redeem her solemn pledge to Texas, and that 
Texas would be true to Mexico. Three commissioners were 
appointed to bear this earnest plea to Mexico, but Austin 
alone went on that long and perilous journey. He was rudely 
thrust into prison and kept there two years. When he re- 
turned home, he assured the Texans that war or extermination 
was their only alternative. He at once became a leader of the 
revolution, and exerted his vast influence to save Texas and 
make her a grand State. 

The question is often discussed in debating societies, 
'"Which was the greater man, "Austin or Houston, and which 
should Texas reverence more ?" Before discussing this ques- 
tion, we advise them to settle another question, "Which should 
sons and daughters reverence more, father or mother?'' 
Every true heart instinctively responds, love and honor both 
alike. So all Texans in all ages should honor and love 
Austin and Houston alike. Both were God-sent men and 
essential to the greatness of Texas. The illustrious patriot, 
Austin, while profoundly engaged in his office as Secretary of 
State, especially in preparing instructions for Ministers to be 
sent to England, United States and France, was compelled to 
toil a greater part of three days and three nights in December 
in a room without fire, from which he contracted a severe 



Dr. Rufus C. Burlesox. SOI 

attack of pneumonia, of which he died at Columbia, December 
27, 1836. His remains were accompanied by President 
Houston and Cabinet and both houses of Congress to the 
family burial ground at Peach Point, Brazoria County, where 
his remains still sleep in glory. He was never married, but 
made his home chiefly with his sister, the mother of our illus- 
trious fellow-citizen, Guy M. Bryan, who inherits many of 
the excellencies of his illustrious uncle. 



ERA OF REYOLUTIOIsr. 

~No era of Texas' history has been so little understood and 
so often misrepresented, especially the causes of the revolu- 
tion. Some writers have described the Mexicans as blood- 
thirsty tyrants, delighting in the blood of patriots and freed- 
men. While others, particularly those living north of a once 
celebrated line, have slanderously said the early Texans were 
reckless, slave-holding adventurers and outlaws, who came to 
Texas with a secret yet fixed purpose, as soon as they were 
able, to secede from "the best Government in the world" and 
wickedly wrest this beautiful Texas province of 27^,000 
square miles from Mexico. 

But the facts will demonstrate that both of these are false. 

The real origin and keynote of our Texas Revolution was 
"The Race Problem/' always so little understood by super- 
ficial minds. 

God has said, "How can two walk together except they 
be agreed?" And in Daniel's Golden Image — that grand 
picture of universal history — Divine Wisdom declared that 
"the ten toes, part of iron and part of clay," represented the 
weakness and degradation of nations where the races are 
mixed. 

This mixing of races or conglomerating antagonistic ele- 
ments, so fitly portrayed by Divine Widom as toes of clay, 
has always been a cause of strife, division and weakness. 

I repeat, this race problem was the keynote of the Texas 
Revolution of 1830-36. 



802 The Life and Writings of 

We have shown in a previous number of this series that 
the imbecile Spaniards were so amazed at the push and cour- 
age and love of liberty of the Fredonians that G-overnors Mar- 
tinez and Salcedo declared that, if possible, they "would kill 
every bird that flew across the line between the United States 
and Mexico." 

This terrible race antagonism was allayed by the assur- 
ances of courtly Baron De Bastrop that the Austins were the 
soul of honor and lovers of peace, and wanted to bring none 
but peaceable farmers and stockmen, and who would form a 
bulwark of protection between the timid Spaniard and the 
fierce and bloody Comanches and Lipans. 

But when the Mexican rulers beheld the resistless energy 
and courage and wonderful growth of the fiery Anglo-Ameri- 
cans, they were appalled. They saw that in nineteen years 
they had colonized Texas with 30,000 brave and resolute pio- 
neers, which was just five times more than Spain had colon- 
ized in 147 years, with millions of money from the royal 
treasury. When they saw these 30,000 Texas colonists, ter- 
ror struck to the hearts of the fierce savages even, and they 
exclaimed, what will they do in ten years more ? Will they 
not overrun Mexico? 

These facts so alarmed the fears of the Mexican rulers 
they resolved by all means to cripple or crush this fearful 
increase of Anglo-Americans. Bustamente's first act was 
strictly to forbid all further immigration from the United 
States, though the Constitution of the Mexican Government 
of 1824 positively declared "no State shall pass any law for- 
bidding immigration till the year 1840." 

His second act was to make Texas a penal colony for 
Mexican convicts and outlaws. The third was a decree to 
free all slaves. His fourth act to establish custom houses at 
San Antonio, Nacogdoches, Copano, Velasco and Anahuac to 
rob the colonists of their hard-earned money. His fifth act 
was to disarm the Texans and leave them to the mercy of the 
enraged Comanches, which meant extermination. To en- 
force these outrages and unconstitutional acts of oppression, 
Bustamente stationed five Mexican officers — Piedras, with 320 
soldiers, at Nacogdoches; Bradburn, with 150, at Anahuac; 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 803 

Ugartechea., with. 150 men, at Velaso, and Bean, with 112 
men, at Teran. These Mexican soldiers were the most brutal 
of the whole Mexican army, and were sent to vex and outrage 
the Texans in every possible way and drive them from their 
homes or exterminate them. 

How dare Northern historians, professing any regard 
for truth, justice or human liberty, say the Texans had not a 
hundred times greater reasons to revolutionize and form a new 
government than the thirteen colonies had to rebel against 
England in 1776? The thirteen colonies rebelled against 
England on account of a few pence tax on tea. The Texans 
fought for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; yea, for 
existence itself. 

Thomas Jefferson Chambers, who was sent as the Mexi- 
can Supreme Judge of Texas, says : 

a Bradburn introduced martial law and took the prop- 
erty of citizens without consent or consideration. He arrested 
and imprisoned many good citizens, and protected many vile 
soldiers who were guilty of robbing and stealing. The peace- 
able, law-abiding Texans assembled in 1830 and sent a peti- 
tion to the military rulers to desist from such terrible aces. 
But Branch T. Archer and George McKinstry, who bore the 
petition, were spurned with contempt. In June of the same 
year the infamous tyrant, Bradburn, and apostate Virginian 
in the Mexican service, arrested and imprisoned William B. 
Travis, Patrick H. Jack and Monroe Edwards for no other 
cause than their opposition to his lawless acts against the lib- 
erties and lives of the Texans. The Texans rose up as one 
man, elected the immortal Frank W. Johnson as their leader, 
and marched to the rescue of the imprisoned patriots." 

They captured nineteen of Bradburn's soldiers, sent to 
disperse them, and were marching on to tear down the fort at 
Anahuac and drive the infamous Bradburn out of Texas. 
But before actual assaults on the fort began, Gen. Piedras, of 
Nacogdoches, a high-toned gentleman, arrived, and acceded to 
the wishes of the Texans, ordered the release of all the pris- 
oner and sent the infamous Bradburn to New Orleans. The 
affairs at Velasco, the great seaport of Texas, were still worse. 
Capt. John Austin, "W. J. Russell, Henry S. Brown and 112 



804 



The Life axd Writings of 



patriots, disgusted with the oppression and falsehoods of the 
Mexican commander, Ugartechea, resolved to capture the fort 
and 125 soldiers. After a heroic assault on the strongly for- 
tified fort, mounted with cannon, 125 Mexicans surrendered 
to 112 Texans. 

In this first battle thirty-five Mexicans were killed 
and fifteen wounded. Eight Texans were killed and twenty- 
seven wounded. A. C. Buckner, of Buckner's Creek, a great 
Indian fighter, was among the killed. Among the wounded 
were Henry Smith, afterwards Governor; J. P. Caldwell, 
Edwin "Waller and R. H. Williamson. 





SANTA ANNA. 

But the victory was complete. Ugartechea and his men 
were banished from Texas, and all Texas was free. 

At this critical juncture, General Santa Anna, a great 
Eepublican leader in Mexico, overthrew the tyrant President, 
Bustamente, and declared the Constitution of 1824 should be 
restored, .and military law should be banished and the rights 
of all citizens should be protected. The gallant Colonel Jose 
Antonio Mexia, General Santa Anna's messenger, arrived in 
Texas to assure the, Texans that Santa Anna intended to 
restore the Constitution of 1824, modeled after the Constitu- 
tion of the United States, and protect all citizens in life, lib- 
erty and the pursuit of happiness. A full meeting of Texas 
delegates, assembled at San Eelipe, assured Colonel Mexia, for 
whom our beautiful Mexia is named, that Texas was loyal to 






Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 805 

the Mexican flag, and would co-operate with. Santa Anna in 
his noble purpose to restore the Constitution of 1824, to expel 
tyrants and royalists and maintain republicanism. And as 
an earnest of their good intentions they aided Colonel Mexia 
in capturing General Piedras, commander at Nacogdoches, 
who, though a gallant and noble man, like the courtly Baron 
De Bastrop, was an ardent friend of monarchy and an uncom- 
promising foe to republicanism. 

He sternly' refused to join Santa Anna's Republican 
party, and bravely resisted every attempt to capture the fort, 
led on by Captain Bradley Looney. But, seeing it impossible 
to hold the fort, he threw his ammunition in the wells and at- 
tempted a retreat to San Antonio. But he met an overwhelm- 
ing force of Texans on the banks of the Angelina. After see- 
ing his brave Captain Marcos and forty others killed and a 
large number wounded, and realizing that all resistance was 
hopeless, and knowing also that the majority of his men were 
Republicans, he turned over the command to Major Medina, 
and retired without a stain on his official honor and with the 
admiration of all true Texans. 

General Santa Anna expressed himself well pleased with 
the spirit of the Texans, and especially their heroism in wiping 
out the last vestige of Bustamente's power in Texas. He 
assured Stephen F. Austin and other eminent Texans that 
Texas should be the special object and regard of his adminis- 
tration. No name was dearer to Texas at that time than- San 
Antonio Lopez De Santa Anna. 

But alas ! how soon men change and honors flee away. 
In less than three years Santa Anna was loaded with infamy, 
and he was crouching a bare-headed, bare-footed suppliant at 
the feet of General Houston, while a hundred outraged Texans 
were shouting around Houston's tent, "Shoot him !" "Hang 
him !" "Burn him !" "He murdered my brother, my 
father, my son at the Alamo or Goliad." 

As it is the sacred office of history to tell the truth con- 
cerning all men, and as the law of the ancient Colchuans, or 
Aztecs, made it death for a historian not to tell the whole 
truth alike regarding enemies and friends, it may be well to 
state a few facts in favor of Santa Anna : 




806 The Life and "Writings of 

1. Just as soon as he attempted to organize the Govern- 
ment of Mexico on a republican basis, he found the Mexicans 
were incapable of self-government and not prepared for the 
Eepublican Constitution of 1824. And the sixty-nine revo- 
lutions in the Republic of Mexico in sixty-seven years show he 
was correct. 

2. He found the priesthood of Mexico well-nigh omni- 
potent and that it must be conciliated. These priests, with 
Padre Muldoon at their head, had traveled all over Texas 
and remarried all the Texans at $25 and $50 a couple, 
and baptized all the babies at $2.50 a head. Padre Muldoon 
declared Texans had no more reverence for the Holy Catholic 
Church than wild beasts; that a stalwart Texan had slapped 
his jaws in San Felipe because he refused to drink with him, 
stating, "I never drink with anybody but gentlemen." 

3. After two years of arduous labor to reconstruct the 
Republic of Mexico under the Constitution of 1824, and wit- 
nessing a failure everywhere, he declared in favor of a mili- 
tary government, and that the civil must be subordinate to 
the military, and that the interest of the Catholic Church 
and priesthood must be supreme in all things. 

Whether Santa Anna did this from necessity or from love 
of power will probably never be fully known till the secrets 
of all hearts are fully revealed at the judgment day. Bat 
the practical result was, every vestige and guaranty of liberty 
was swept away, and military despotism, headed by the once 
beloved Santa Anna and the Jesuitical priests, ruled over every 
State in Mexico. At Zacatecas, Santa Anna left 2,000 dead 
and dying patriots on the battlefield. While Santa Anna 
assured Stephen F. Austin that Texas should be an exception, 
he sent secretly the infamous Ugartechea with 50 soldiers to 
San Antonio and Captain Tenorio to Anahuac. Wm. B. 
Travis, whose soul hated tyranny, raised a company of Texans 
and captured Tenorio. and his soldiers and held them as pris- 
oners. Captain Hurd also seized the Mexican warship, Carrio, 
and all her crew, in Galveston Bay, and sent them to New 
Orleans as pirates. Santa Anna now ordered Ugartechea to 
arrest W. B. Travis, Mosely Baker, A. M. Williamson, J. W\ 
Johnson, John H. Moore and that noble patriot, Zavalla, and 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 807 

other leading Texans, and send them to Mexico and establish 
firmly military law in all Texas. 

The course now left to the heroic Texans was to live 
as down-trodden slaves of a military tyrant and an ignorant, 
debauched priesthood, or to gird on their swords and bravely 
meet their opponents on the field of battle. How gallantly 
and heroically they did this at the Alamo, . Goliad and San 
Jacinto all the world knows. 

The era of Revolution from 1830 to 1836 is the most 
tragic and momentous of all Texas history. It would require 
the pen of a Homer, a Virgil, a Milton or a Macaulay to do 
full justice to the thrilling events and heroic deeds of Texans 
from 1830 to 1836. I ask the reader to recall the law- 
less outrages committed on the Texans and also their 
long, patient endurance. And especially that when our 
Travis, Jack and McKinstry, and, above all, when our 
spotless Stephen F. Austin, bore earnest petitions to the 
highest Mexican authorities to respect our constitutional 
rights, they were insulted and imprisoned with common 
felons. Stephen F. Austin lay two years in a Mexican jail 
for no other cause than advocating the rights of Texans. 

And when it became self-evident that the military des- 
pots who had enslaved Mexico had resolved to exterminate 
the Texans, I ask, even our Northern historians, what should 
Anglo-Saxons do ? Should they bend to the lash, or wait like 
fat oxen for the butcher's knife ? What would the heroes of 
Lexington and Bunker Hill, in 1776, have done? Would 
they not have done just what the Texan heroes did? Gird 
on their swords, and, in the name of God and liberty, march 
to battle, crying "Give us liberty or give us death." The bat- 
tle of Gonzales has been justly called "The Lexington of our 
Texas Revolution." The battles of Velasco, Anahuac, 
Nacogdoches and Angelina, were local efforts to repel 
the personal outrages of the Mexican, tyrants, Ugar- 
techea, Bradburn, Teran and Tenorio. All the true Tex- 
ans hoped the General Government at Mexico would 
endure their acts of self-preservation and remove the petty 
tyrants. But all these hopes soon vanished. For on the 1st 
of September, 1835, General Cos, Santa Anna's brother-in- 



808 The Life and Writings of 

law, arrived with 500 additional troops, and with positive 
orders to abolish all civil offices and establish military despot- 
ism, and imprison or execute every patriot who refused to bow 
the knee and wear the chain of slavery. General Cos estab- 
lished his headquarters at San Antonio, and on the 16th of 
September sent General Castenado, with 200 men, to capture 
some cannon and other munitions of war at Gonzales. They 
attempted to cross the Guadeloupe River at Gonzales on the 
20th of September, 1835, but were repelled by Captain Albert 
Martin and his little heroic band of eighteen men. Castenado 
withdrew his force of 200 men to a mound, seven miles above 
Gonzales, to await re-enforcements from San Antonio. In 
the meantime Texas patriots had arrived from Guadeloupe, 
La Vaca and Colorado, increasing the Texan army to 168 
men. Stephen F. Austin, appointed commander-in-chief by 
the general consultation, not having arrived, the volunteers 
elected that grand old pioneer, John H. Moore, Colonel, and 
J. W. Wallace ( a brother of our Dr. D. R. Wallace) as 
Lieutenant Colonel. 

The Texas attacked the Mexicans October 2nd, 1835, at 
4 o'clock in the morning, with infantry, cavalry and cannon. 
The skill in arranging the forces, as well as the time and mode 
of attack, and the courage of executing would have done great 
credit to veterans. 

They drove the enemy from the field. The Mexicans 
fled ingloriously back to San Antonio, leaving many dead and 
wounded on the field. The Texans returned in great triumph 
to Gonzales, without having a single man killed or wounded. 
The victory so inspired the Texans that they resolved to cap- 
ture Goliad and San Antonio, strongly fortified with men and 
arms, and to drive all military despots from Texas soil. 

Captain George Collingsworth, of Matagorda, raised a 
company of fifty men for the capture of Goliad. Fortun- 
ately, the very night Captain Collingsworth reached Goliad 
they fell in with Ben R. Milam, who had escaped from the 
guard at Monterey, and was making his way back to Texas. 
He was lying on the grass, almost fainting from journeying 
over 600 miles on foot, and from hunger. He supposed Col- 
lingsworth and his men were Mexicans sent to arrest him, and 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 809 

resolved to fight and sell his life as dearly as possible. What 
was hs joy to find they were Texans, pressing forward to cap- 
ture a Mexican garrison. The Texans were equally rejoiced 
to meet so heroic and experienced a commander, and Collings- 
worth at once tendered him the command; but, like all really 
great leaders, he comprehended the difficulties so clearly, he 
did not covet leadership, and declined, but took his place in 
the ranks. An assault was at once agreed upon. After sev- 
eral hours of hard fighting, Lieutenant Colonel Sandoval and 
his command of twenty-five soldiers surrendered October 8, 
1835, with 300 stands of arms, two brass cannon and $10,000 
in silver. Three weeks later Captain Westover captured Lip- 
antitlan, on the Nueces River. But the fathers of Texas, like 
all great pathfinders and foundation builders of civilization, 
knew that complete organization and preparation were essen- 
tial to great success. Hence on the 3d of October, 1835, rep- 
resentatives elected from all Texas assembled at San Felipe to 
take counsel and provide for the perils of the hour. On the 
12 th a provisional government was formed, with Henry Smith 
as Governor, James W. Robinson, Lieutenant-Governor, and 
Sam Houston, Commander of the army, with an Advisory 
Council of nine men, and John R. Jones, Postmaster General. 
But while the civilians at San Felipe were organizing a civil 
government, Austin and his little army at Gonzales, after 
being thoroughly reorganized, moved forward to capture San 
Antonio, the strongest military fortification in Texas. On 
the 20th of October they reached Mission Espado, nine miles 
below the city. On the 27th General Austin dispatched Fan- 
nin and Bowie to select a more suitable camping place nearer 
the city. This advance guard camped the first night in a bend 
of the San Antonio River, near the grand old Mission Concep- 
tion, one and a half miles from the city. The place was 
admirably located for defense by day or night. The river 
bank was covered by dense timber, a second bank, considerably 
lower than the level prairie, in front, forming a kind of natural 
breastwork, and the curve of the river presented a half-moon 
shape that prevented all flank movements. General Cos 
learned from spies — disguised peddlers of tortillas, that there 
were ony ninety-two men, and expected to capture them early 



810 The Life and Writings of 

next morning. At 8 o'clock, October 28, the Mexicans, under 
cover of a dense fog, surrounded the Texans on three sides, 
with a large cavalry force, infantry, and one cannon, and 
opened on them a fearful discharge of musketry and cannon 
shot. 

The whole Mexican line was a continued blaze of fire. 
But the deadly aim of the Texas riflemen, secure behind their 
natural breastworks, as by magic cleared the cannon and laid 
the cannoneers weltering in their blood. This was repeated 
three times, and leaden hail of death extended all along the 
line, till the Mexicans, terror-stricken, fled precipitately, leav- 
ing sixty killed and forty wounded on the ground. The only 
Texan killed was a gallant soldier, Richard Andrews, an uncle 
of Rev. Dr. Andrews. The bullet that pierced his brave heart 
was picked up and long preserved as a relic by that noble old 
veteran, Col. J. A. Haynie, of Waco. On the 1st of Novem- 
ber, 1835, General Austin moved his army of about 1,000 
brave volunteers near the powder house, at the mill, one mile 
east of the city. But the soldiers were poorly provided with 
tents and arms, and without cannon; and San Antonio was 
built on the model of all European cities 200 years ago, with 
exceedingly narrow streets, so as to be easily barricaded against 
an invading army; and the city on all sides was like a solid 
wall. 

It, therefore, seemed madness for 1,000 half-armed men, 
without cannon, to assault a city so strongly fortified and 
defended by at least 2,000 effective soldiers. The Texan 
army, therefore, concluded to besiege the city, cut off all sup- 
plies, and starve the enemy into an open fight or a surrender. 
Thus nearly one month was consumed in restless inaction. 
Great diversity of opinion and dissatisfaction arose. Many 
clamoring for an immediate assault, and others declaring such 
an assault almost certain ruin. The malcontents criticised 
bitterly the caution of General Austin. The brave and im- 
petuous Bowie resigned his commission in disgust. The 
army dwindled down to about 600. 

All the others returned home to their families. The only 
two incidents to break the dull monotony of the siege of twen- 
ty-eight days was the capture of 300 horses Cos had endeav- 



Dr. Bufus C. Bubleson. 811 

ored to slip out by night, and send to the Rio Grande, to save 
consuming all the provender in the city. 

The other incident was the celebrated "Grass Fight/ 7 on 
the 26th of November. Gen. Cos had sent out a party to 
cut hay, and a company with two pieces of artillery as a guard. 
The Texans, seeing these hay cutters and escorts returning, 
supposing them to be new recruits, about 100 men rushed 
forth, under the impetuous Bowie, and routed the Mexicans, 
captured their hay and left fifty dead Mexicans along the road. 

On November 28, two days after the "Grass Fight," Gen- 
eral Austin resigned a position utterly unsuited to his taste or 
talents, and accepted another, for which he was pre-eminently 
fitted— Minister to the United States. The little wasted army 
of 600 elected Gen. Ed Burleson, "the great Indian fighter," 
to fill his place. Preparations were immediately made for 
attacking the city, though very many declared it utterly sui- 
cidal. But the little army was paraded, December 2, by order 
of General Burleson, and a stirring address was delivered by 
Colonel W. H. Jack, and a call made for volunteers to storm 
the city at once. Four hundred and fifty men immediately 
stepped to the front and enrolled their names. Some trivial 
mistakes and grave suspicions delayed the attack for two days, 
and even threatened to break up the siege. But on the second 
day, Sam Maverick, J. W. Smith and Mr. Holmes, who had 
been detained by General Cos as prisoners, reached the Texas 
camp, and gave a minute account of the situation of the Mex- 
ican army, and inspired fresh hope and confidence of success. 
General Burleson, as commander-in-chief, authorized Milam 
to organize a new storming party. The heroic Milam stepped 
out in front of General Burleson's tent, and with his trumpet- 
like voice shouted, "Who will follow old Ben Milam into 
San Antonio?" The brave Breeding was the first to shout i 
"I will. Hurrah for old Ben Milam and San Antonio !" Im- 
mediately 400 men fell into line. The plan agreed upon was 
admirable in every respect. Gen.' Burleson was to make a 
feint of an attack on the north at the old mill, and Colonel 
Neil was to do the same on the Alamo at 2 o'clock on the 
morning of December 5, so as to draw the whole attention of 
the startled enemy to the north and east, while Milam and 




812 The Life and Writings of 

Johnson, with only 300 men, rushed into the city on the 
south, and before they were discovered by the astonished 
enemy they gained a secure lodgment in the stronghold of the 
house of Yerimandi. The fearless Texans were now in the 
heart of the city, and with two small cannon and death-dealing 
muskets, they spread terror and dismay throughout the city. 

On December 6, at 3 o'clock, the fearless Milam, enter- 
ing the Verimandi House, was shot through the brain by a 
musket ball, and fell dead, and was buried in the park, or 
ipueuiLioA 8 t[X *9snoi[ peiBjqopo qui oq. pouoi^rB Vnoo 
House was celebrated for another very dissimilar event. In 
that house the heroic Bowie wooed and married the surpass- 
ingly beautiful, queenly daughter of Governor Yerimandi. 
It was, .there she died, and unconsolable grief would have 
shortened Bowie's life, even if he had not been killed in, the 
Alamo, prostrated with grief and consumption, on his couch. 

The siege, with its reign of terror, especially to women 
and children, raged four days, when, on the morning of the 
9th, General Cos suspended his firing of cannon and mus- 
kets, lowered his black nag and hung out the white flag of 
surrender of the city and fourteen hundred soldiers to Gen- 
eral Burleson, with less than 600. 

Article 9 of surrender said : "All public property, arms 
and munitions of war shall be inventoried and delivered to 
General Burleson." 

Article 10. General Cos, with his force, shall, for the 
present, occupy the Alamo. General Burleson and his force 
shall occupy the city Bexar, and neither General molest the 
other. 

Article 11. General Cos, with his force, shall retire 
within six days, with their side arms, into the interior of Mex- 
ico, under parole of honor that they will not in any way oppose 
the re-establishment of the Constitution of 1824." 

In violating this" last pledge they perjured themselves, 
and, according to the laws of war, should have been shot when 
captured at San Jacinto; but which just sentence the Texans 
magnanimously declined to execute, and covered themselves 
with glory before the civilized world. 



Dr. Kuftjs C. Burleson. 813 

General Burleson furloughed his gallant little army to 
return home in glory. He left the gallant W. B. Travis and 
the volunteers of other States to garrison the Alamo till peace 
was fully ratified and Texas independence 'recognized by 
Mexico. 

This splendid victory filled all Texas with joy, and was 
celebrated with bonfires throughout Texas, and also filled all 
Mexico with astonishment and Santa Anna with rage and 
frenzy. 

He raved, says one of his Generals, "like a madman, and 
swore he would invade Texas in person and wipe out this dis- 
grace on Mexican arms in blood, confiscation and exile." 

But while our little half -armed, half -fed, half -clothed and 
self-supporting army under General Burleson at San Antonio 
was covering the name of Texas with undying fame, the pigmy 
politicians at San Felipe were disgracing not only Texas, but 
human nature. 

Governor Henry Smith and his Lieutenant Governor, 
and council of nine were engaged in a petty scramble who 
should be greatest. The committee of nine, like many other 
men clothed with a little brief authority, foolishly insisted 
they should direct the Generals how and where to fight, 
and that the Governor was a mere figurehead, to sign 
their decrees. General Houston, who learned war under Gen- 
eral Jackson, knew the Governor was the proper person to 
issue orders, and refused to obey their orders, and they vir- 
tually suspended him and deposed the Governor. It is a 
remarkable fact that these Solomons have sunk into such utter 
oblivion that not one Texan in 50,000 ever heard of their 
names. Oh, that such men, and there are many such now in 
Texas, could learn a small modicum of common sense. 

But soon these Lilliputians were swept into oblivion by 
the stern necessities of the hour. 

Santa Anna had subjected several States in Mexico to his 
military despotism by thirty-two battles, in the last of which 
he left 2,000 dead patriots on the battlefield of Zacatecas. 

Flushed with victory and maddened with his success, he 
resolved to select 8,000 veteran soldiers and sweep down on 
Texas like an enraged lion and retrieve all that Cos and Ugar- 




814 The Life and Writings of 

techea had lost. He selected his bravest Generals, Filisola, 
Urrea, Sestrillon, who had stood by him in thirty-two victo- 
ries, and, in his folly, he thought Texas wonld flee before this 
august majesty — "the Napoleon of the West' 7 — like deer 
before a Mexican lion. But the heroic Texans assembled at 
Washington, on the banks of the Brazos, in a newly erected 
storehouse of Rev. N. T. Byars, and not only hurled defiance 
at the "Napoleon of the West," but declared her eternal sepa- 
ration from Mexico, and boldly took her stand among the 
nations of the earth as The Lone Star Republic of Texas. 

Hon. David Burnet was elected President, and Lorenzo 
De Zavalla, Vice-President, and Gen. Sam Houston, Com- 
mander-in-Chief, untrameled by the silly dictation of a few 
clerks and farmers, who never smelled gunpowder nor knew 
what war did mean, but was left to exercise his own profes- 
sional skill in hurling back the mighty hosts of Santa Anna. 

Santa Anna devised an admirable plan for the ruin of 
Texas. He intended to sweep over Texas in three columns. 
Gen. Urrea, an apostate Tennesseean, with a powerful army, 
was to sweep over Middle Texas and conquer Bexar, Gonzales, 
Bastrop and Nashville. A third division, under Santa Anna, 
was to aid Filisola in capturing San Antonio and Gonzales, 
and then penetrate the heart of the colonies to San Felipe, 
and, if need be, as far as Nacogdoches and San Augus- 
tine. The vain-glorious, self-styled "Napoleon of the West' 7 
firmly believed that he would, as he wrote to Senor 
Tornel, the Minister of War, be able in eight weeks "to drive 
from Texas all who had taken part in the war, and divide out 
their lands and property among his officers and soldiers and 
forever blot out the American colonies in Texas." 

But alas, alas, for human pride. He did not realize the 
truth of what Burns said : 

"The best laid schemes o' mice and men aft gang agley." 

And, above all, that God said "a 'haughty spirit goeth 
before a fall. 77 How little did he dream that in sixty days 
his grand army would be scattered as sheep having no shep- 
herd, and he would be fleeing and hiding in the grass like a 
scared rabbit, and then caught bare-headed, bare-footed, and, 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 815 

mounted on a mule behind the boy, Sylvester, would ride into 
Houston's camp amid the hisses and curses of an outraged 
people. And there to crouch like a whipped spaniel at the 
feet of Houston, and implore forgiveness and protection 
against those who were shouting "Hang him," "Shoot him," 
"Burn him," "Remember the Alamo," "Remember Goliad." 



THE SIEGE AND EALL OF THE ALAMO. 

When Santa Anna heard that his brother-in-law, Gen- 
eral Cos, had surrendered the strongly fortified city of San 
Antonio with 2000 soldiers to Gen. Burleson's army of 600 
half -armed Texans- he was furious. He swore that he would 
sweep down on Texas and humble the Texans in the dust or 
drive them from the state. And having conquered the last 
republican general in Mexico and leaving 2000 dead patriots 
on the battlefield at Zacatecas, he hastened on to Texas. He 
brought with him his greatest generals and 8,000 select troops 
who had followed him in thirty-two battles. 

When General Cos surrendered, as there was no neces- 
sity for retaining a strong military force at San Antonio, Gen- 
eral Burleson disbanded his Spartan heroes, and turned over 
the commantl to Col. William B. Travis, and his 144 gallant 
soldiers to guard the city. 

On February 22, 1836, when Santa Anna reached the 
suburbs of San Antonio, Col. Travis with his heroic band, 
composed of such men as Crockett, Bowie, Bonham and Dick- 
inson, retired to the Alamo. This was the most strongly for- 
tified of all the nineteen mission forts of Texas. The main 
chapel, still standing, is 75x62 feet; walls of solid masonry 
four feet thick and twenty-two feet high. From the north- 
west corner a wall of fifty-two feet extended to the convent, 
which was a two-story building 186x18. The prison was one- 
story 115x17. These, with several low buildings, included 
about three acres, sufficient to accommodate a thousand men; 
all being surrounded by a stone wall two and a half feet thick 
and eight feet high. Fourteen cannons were mounted on vari- 



816 The Life and "Writings of 

ous parts of the Alamo fortifications. Fortunately, on the 
first day of the siege, Travis secured eighty bushels of corn 
and thirty-two beeves. About noon on the i3d Santa Anna 
arrived in person, and ordered the Texans to surrender or be 
put to death. They answered him with a cannon shot. The 
siege continued eleven days, during which cannon balls poured 
incessantly on the heroic army of Texans. Travis sent out 
touching appeals for help, but none came, except thirty-two 
from Gonzales, who forced their way through the Mexican 
ranks into the Alamo. On the tenth day, when Travis saw 




vm 



■'■■> 



:1 



,,r^ 






Lu***"*** * C 



BOWIE BEING CARRIED OVEK THE LINE. 

there was no hope for recruits, he assembled his men and ex- 
plained the situation. He then drew a line with his swora. 
and said, "Now all who are resolved to die, with me, fighting 
for liberty, will cross over this line." With a loud heroic 
shout they all rushed over the line. The gallant Bowie was 
lying helpless on his couch, and he cried, "Oh, boys, I am 
resolved to die fighting, please carry me over the line." And 
with a still louder shout they lifted up his couch and carried 
him over the line. On Sunday morning, March 6, while the 
church bells were calling the worshippers to morning prayers, 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 817 

Santa Anna with six thousand select troops supplied with 
scaling ladders and crowbars, made the last deadly assault. 
The little heroic band met them with a deadly fire, and the 
assailants reeled and fell back. But Santa Anna with his 
cavalry goaded them to renew the assault. Soon a breach was 
made in the walls and the hosts of murderers rushed in. Travis 
was shot in the head and fell dying, but had strength to kill 
a Mexican that was trying to spear him. Bowie, true to his 
vow, died fighting, and killed two or three Mexicans as they 
murdered him lying on his couch. 

Crockett retreated into the little Confessional room of the 
priest, where Mrs. Dickinson says she found him with many 
Mexicans lying dead around him. 

Every man died a hero, fighting. And after the deadly 
roar of the guns and clash of steel, Mrs. Dickinson, whose 
husband had been killed, taking her little babe in her arms 
and a pitcher of water, went to each hero to see if any were 
still living, but all were dead. That evening the brutal Santa 
Anna had the one hundred and eighty-two noble Texans 
placed in a pile and burned. Alcalde Ruiz, who was appointed 
to bury the dead Mexicans, says he buried sixteen hundred, 
while Santa Anna with his usual mendacity, reports sixty 
killed and two hundred and fifty-one wounded. 

Thus ended the battle that will forever place the Alamo 
beside the grandest battles of the world, and will cause her 
heroic defenders to shine on with ever increasing splendor, 
till sun, moon and stars grow dim. 

In 1837 John !N". Seguine had the bones of the illustrious 
heroes of the Alamo collected and buried with great military 
honors. 



FORT PARKER MASSACRE. 

We give a detailed account of this horrible massacre, for 
two reasons : 

Eirst — It demonstrates the unparalleled suffering and un- 
dying courage of the early Texas pioneers. 

Second — It demonstrates the inhuman demoniac brutal- 
ity of the Indians. And shows that like the ancient Sodomites 

52 



818 The Life and Writings of 

and Canaanites their cup of iniquity was full, and cried to a 
just and merciful God for their extermination, from the face 
of the earth, which is now well nigh accomplished. 

Parker's Fort was built in 1833 by a colony from Illinois, 
consisting of the Parker family and their relations. The 
Parker family was originally from Tennessee, but had been at- 
tracted to Illinois by its celebrity as a wheat growing coun- 
try. But they soon became dissatisfied with the freezing win- 
ters — the ice and snow covering the ground for months. And 
they resolved to seek a home in the genial sunny clime of 
Texas, the Paradise of America. 

The Parker family was remarkable for honesty, courage 
and strong native talent. They were all Hard Shell or Primi- 
tive Baptists. And violently opposed temperance, missions 
and Sunday Schools. Elder Daniel Parker is widely known 
as the father of "the two-seed doctrine." Which is that the 
whole human family, by an eternal decree of God is divided 
into the elect and the non-elect, or the seed of God and the 
seed of the devil. 

The colony consisted of thirty-three persons. These 
all combined and built a fort or block house, including 
over an acre of land. And cottages adjoining the wall. 
The whole fort was conveniently arranged for the sepa- 
rate families and also arranged with portholes and every con- 
venience for repelling an attack. All the colonists slept inside 
of the Port, and kept all the gates and doors securely barred 
and guarded. The fort stood on a beautiful hill near a clear 
cool spring of water, overlooking the fertile valley of the 
Navasota and the boundless prairie covered with vast herds of 
cattle and buffalo and wild game of every description. Some 
remains of the old fort are yet to be seen two and a half miles 
from the beautiful town of Groesbeck. When the men went 
to their fields to work or on the prairies to hunt their 
daily supply of meat, they carried with them guns and went 
in sufficient numbers to repel an attack of the Indians, always 
leaving two or three men at home to guard the women and 
children. 

On the 18th of May, 1836, just twenty-seven days after 
the battle of San Jacinto, when Santa Anna and his invading 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 819 

army had been conquered and driven from Texas, and all 
things promised peace and prosperity, the newly risen sun 
was shining brightly, the birds were singing, the flowers were 
blooming over the vast prairies covered with carpets of unend- 
ing green. The men, except a few, had gone to work in the 
field. The women were busy at their dairies, wheels and looms. 
The merry children were shouting and laughing in their 
sport. When suddenly as an outbursting volcano, about five 
hundred Comanche and Kiowa Indians made their appearance 
on a hill three hundred yards from the fort. The frightened 
children flew to their mothers. The men on guard seized their 
guns, but the deceitful demons raised the white flag as a token 
of peace and friendship. Mr. Ben Parker went forth to see 
what the Indians wanted. They professed to be very friendly 
and asked him to show them a good camping place near the 
springs and asked him for a beef as they were very hungry. 
Mr. Parker fearing to offend them promised they should have 
what they wanted. Returning to the fort he told the trembling 
women what the Indians said, but added, U I fear they intend to 
fight.'' "But by kindness I will try to dissuade them from 
fighting.' 7 His brother, Silas, and all the women begged him 
not to go out to them again. But he went and immediately 
the bloody monsters surrounded and murdered him. And 
then with horrid yells and death dealing clubs, axes and toma- 
hawks they rushed upon the fort, and battered down the doors. 
Then began one of the bloodiest tragedies known even in 
Texas Indian warfare. Mr. Silas Parker was murdered trying 
to rescue his sister, Mrs. Plummer. She made a desperate 
effort, but was knocked down with a hoe and captured. Sam 
Frost and son were killed while heroically defending the 
women and children inside the fort. Old grandmother Parker 
was stabbed and left for dead. Elder John Parker, aged 79, 
and his wife and Mrs. Kellogg were making their escape, but 
when about three-quarters of a mile from the fort were over- 
taken and the venerable preacher was brutally murdered and 
stripped, scalped and horribly mutilated. His aged wife was 
knocked down, speared, stripped, but feigning to be dead she 
was left lying on the ground. Thus in one short hour, the 
happy, prosperous colony was deluged in blood and filled with 



820 The Life and Writings oe 

desolation and mourning. Elder John Parker and Silas M. 
Parker and John Parker, Samuel M. Frost and his son, Rob- 
ert, were killed. Mrs. John Parker, Grandma Parker and 
Mrs. Duty were dangerously wounded. Mrs. Rachel Plum- 
mer, daughter of Jas. Parker, and her son, James, 2 years 
old, Mrs. Elizabeth Kellogg, Cynthia Ann Parker, 8 years 
old, were taken into captivity as prizes to be redeemed by lov- 
ing and sorrowing friends at home. 

The fiends, after murdering Silas Parker overtook his 
wife fleeing with her four children from the fort, and com- 
pelled the terror-stricken mother to lift her daughter, Cynthia 
Ann, and her son, John, 6 years old, up on horse-back behind 
two mounted Indians, and the Indians on foot were driving 
the mother and her two little children back to the fort, but they 
were rescued by the men who came rushing from the fields as 
soon as they heard the screams of the women and children. 
The terror-stricken men, women and children, seeing their 
once happy home in the possession of five hundred bloody 
Indian murderers, escaped to the dense timbers of the Nava- 
sota bottoms. When night came and spread her dark mantle 
over the scene of horror, Abraham Anglin and Evan Faulk- 
enberry started back to see if they could give any succor to the 
wounded, and examine the extent of the ruin. The only liv- 
ing being they could see was old Grandma Parker whom the 
Indians had speared and stripped, except her undergarments 
and left her feigning to be dead on the ground. She had 
crawled to a deserted cabin and concealed herself. They took 
her some bed clothing and carried her to a place of conceal- 
ment until they could return from the fort. On reaching the 
fort no living human sound could be heard. All was silent 
in death, but the dogs were barking furiously, the cattle were 
lowing, the horses neighing and the hogs squealing, making 
a hideous medley of sounds. The next morning Messrs. Bates, 
Anglin and Faulkenherry went back to the fort to get if pos- 
sible, some provisions and horses on which to retreat and also 
to look after the dead. On reaching the fort, they found five 
or six horses, a few saddles, some venison, bacon and honey, 
but fearing an attack from the Indians who might still be 
lurking in the thickets they left without burying the dead. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 821 

They all concealed themselves in the thick timbers of Nava- 
sota until they could set out for Fort Houston, ninety miles 
away, near the present town of Palestine and on the present 
farm of Hon. John H. Reagan. We give the description of 
that mournful journey in the language of Mr. James W. Par- 
ker, who says, "We were truly a forlorn set, many of us bare- 
footed and bareheaded, a relentless foe on the one hand and 
on the other a trackless and uninhabited wilderness infested 
with reptiles and wild beasts, entirely destitute of food and 
no means of procuring it, added to this the agonizing grief 
for the death and capture of our dear relatives and the expecta- 
tion of meeting at any moment a like fate, utter dispair al- 
most seized us. 

I took one of my children on my shoulders and led the 
other, the grown persons followed my example. Our mourn- 
ful party, consisting of eighteen persons left for Fort Houston. 
Our journey lay through thickly tangled briars and under- 
brush. My wife was in bad health, Mrs. Frost was in deep 
distress for the loss of her husband and son, and all were bit- 
terly mourning for the loss of loved ones, and being bare- 
footed except my wife and Mrs. Frost, our progress was very 
slow. Many of the children had nothing on but their shirts 
and their sufferings from the briars, tearing their little legs 
and feet were almost beyond human endurance. 

We traveled until about 3 o'clock in the morning, when 
the women and children being worn out with hunger and 
fatigue, we lay down on the grass and slept till daylight when 
we resumed our perilous journey. The briars tore the legs and 
feet of the children until they could have been tracked by the 
blood that flowed from their wounds. At dark of the second 
day after leaving the fort, the children, and especially the 
women who were nursing infants began to suffer intensely 
from hunger, but alas, we had not a morsel of food. But 
providentially at that moment a polecat came near us. I im- 
mediately pursued him and caught him just as he jumped into 
the river. The only way I could kill it was by holding it under 
the water until it drowned. Fortunately, we had the means 
of striking a fire and we soon had it cooked and equally divided 
among the women and children, the share of each being small 



822 The Life and Writings of 

indeed. This was all we had to eat until the fourth day, when 
we were lucky enough to catch another polecat and two small 
terrapins, which we also cooked and divided, giving the women 
and children the larger share. On the evening of the fifth- 
day I found that the women and children were so exhausted 
that it would be impossible for them to travel much farther. 
After holding a consultation it was agreed that I should hurry 
on to Fort Houston for aid, leaving Mr. Dwight in charge of 
the women and children, and early next morning, I started for 
the fort about thirty-five miles distant which I reached early 
in the afternoon. I have often looked back and wondered 
how I was able to accomplish this extraordinary feat. I had 
not eaten a mouthful for six days, having always given my 
share of the polecats and terrapins to the women and children, 
and yet I walked thirty-five miles in about eight hours. But 
the thought of the suffering women and children I had left 
behind inspired me with strength and perseverance, and above 
all, God in his bountiful providence upheld me in that trying 
hour. 

The first person I met on reaching Fort Houston was the 
generous and brave Captain Carter. He soon had five horses 
saddled and other means of conveyance, and he and Jeremian 
Courtney went with me to meet our little band of starving, 
bleeding women and children. We met them just at dark, 
and, placing the women and children on the horses, we reached 
Captain Carter's hospitable home about midnight. Every 
preparation had been made to receive the mournful company 
of sufferers. The hungry, weary women and children with 
their bleeding feet were tenderly cared for. The following 
day, on the 25th of May, my son-in-law, Mr. Plummer, reached 
Fort Houston, he had given up all for lost. After so many 
long years, I look back over that scene of unparalleled suffer- 
ing with inexpressible horror, yet with devout thanksgiving 
and praises to God for his merciful support and protection." 

Mrs. Elizabeth Kellogg, Mrs. Rachel Plummer and her 
son, James, 2 years old; Cynthia Ann Parker, 8 years old and 
her brother, John, 6 years old, children of Silas Parker, were 
carried into captivity to be slaves or to be redeemed by sor- 
rowing relatives with large sums of money. The bloody 



Dr. Rufus C. Burlesox. 823 

Kiowas and Comanclies having heard no doubt of the uttei 
defeat of their bloody ally, Santa Anna, at San Jacinto, beat 
a hasty retreat to their hiding places in the Wichita Moun- 
tains on North Red River. They traveled till midnight, and 
camped near Avhere Waxahachie now stands, to hold their 
bloody war dance to commemorate their horrible victory at 
Fort Parker. They staked out their horses and picket guards 
and brought their helpless prisoners together and tied their 
hands behind their backs, and their feet together so tight that 
the rawhide ropes cut the flesh. And then threw the help- 
less captives on their faces. The savage demons with scalps 
dripping in blood tied to their wampum belts began their 
usual "war dance.' 7 The demons screamed and yelled and 
danced around their helpless prisoners, beating them on their 
backs with their bows and stamping upon them with their feet 
till their own blood came near strangling them. And the help- 
less women and children remained in this position of torture 
weeping and bleeding during the night. The mothers endured 
the unutterable horrors of listening to the screams of their 
little children with no power to aid them. Oh what prayers 
ascended to heaven for mercy on their little ones and the 
avenging judgment of God on their bloody persecutors. 
Early next morning they hurried on their retreat, fearing lest 
Gen. Burleson with his brave "minute men" should fall on 
their rear and inflict bloody vengeance on them for their 
.crimes. They soon found an opportunity to sell Mrs. Kellogg 
to the Keachies and Delawares, who, after six months sold her 
to Gen. Sam Houston for $150.00, and he conveyed her imme- 
diately to her sorrowing relatives. 

Mrs. Plummer remained a captive about eighteen months, 
and we give the following extract from her diary : 

"In July, and a portion of August we were among some 
very high mountains, on which the snow remained for a greater 
part of the year, and I suffered more than ever in my life. It 
was very seldom I had any covering over my feet, and but lit- 
tle clothing for my body. I had a certain number of Buffalo 
skins to dress every day, and the horses to mind at night. My 
feet would often be frost bitten. In October I gave birth to 
my second son. It was a beautiful healthy baby, but it was 



824 The Life and Writings of 

impossible for me to secure suitable nourishment for myself, 
and infant. I had been with them six months and had learnea 
their language and would often beseech my mistress to advise 
me what to do to save my child, but she turned a deaf ear co 
my supplications. My child was 6 mouths old, when my 
master thinking that it interfered with my work, determined 
to put it out of my way. 

One cold morning five or six Indians came to where I 
was suckling my babe. As soon as they came I felt sick at 
heart; my fears were aroused for the safety of my child; my 
whole frame convulsed with sudden dread. My fears were 
not ill-grounded. One of the Indians caught my child by the 
throat, and strangled it until all appearances of it was dead. 
I exerted my feeble strength to save my child, but the other 
Indians held me fast. The Indian who had strangled my 
child, then threw it up into the air repeatedly, and let it fall 
on the frozen ground until life seemed to be extinct. They 
then gave it back to me. I had been weeping incessantly while 
they were murdering my child, but now my grief was so great 
the fountain of my tears dried up. As I gazed on the blue 
cheeks of my darling I discovered some symptoms of return- 
ing life. I hoped that if it could be resuscitated, they would 
allow me to keep it. I washed the blood from its face, and 
after a time, it began to breathe, but a more heart-rending 
scene ensued. As soon as the Indians ascertained that the 
child was alive, they tore it from my arms and knocked me 
down. They tied a plaited rope around its neck, and threw 
it into a bunch of prickly pears and then pulled it backwards 
and forwards until its tender flesh was literally torn from its 
body. One of the Indians who was mounted on a horse, then 
tied the end of the rope to his saddle, and galloped around in a 
circle until my little innocent child was not only dead, but 
torn to pieces. One of them untied the rope, and threw the 
remains of the child in my lap. I took a butcher knife, and 
dug a hole in the earth and buried my child. After perform- 
ing the last sad rights for my dear babe I sat down and gazed 
with a feeling of relief on the little grave I had made for it 
in the wilderness and could say with David : "You can not 
come to me, but I can go to you." And then, and even now. 



Dr. Rttfus C. Burleson. 825 

as I recall the dreadful scene I rejoice that my babe passed 
from the sorrowing and sufferings of this world. J shall hear 
its dying cries no more and relying on the righteousness of 
Christ, I feel that my innocent child is with kinder spirits in 
the world of joy. After the death of my child I was given to 
be the servant to a very cruel old squaw who treated me in a 
most brutal manner. My other son had been carried off by 
another party to the far West. I supposed my husband and 
father were killed at the massacre of Fort Parker. Death 
seemed to me but a sweet relief. Life was a burden and 
driven to desperation I resolved no longer to endure the cruel 
treatment of the intolerable old squaw. 

One day she and I were some distance from, although 
still in sight of the camp, she attempted to beat me with a 
club. I wrenched the club from her hands and knocked her 
down. The Indians who had witnessed the proceedings from 
the camp came running up, shouting at the top of their voices, 
I expected to be killed immediately, but they patted me on the 
shoulder crying, "Bueno," "Bueno," "good; well done;" I 
now fared much better and soon became a great favorite and 
became known as the "Fighting Squaw." 

Mrs. Plummer was afterwards ransomed through the 
assistance of some Mexican Santa Fe traders by a noble-hearted 
American, Mr. W. M. Donahue. She was then made a mem- 
ber of her benefactor's family. She accompanied Mr. and 
Mrs. Donahue on their visit to Independence, Missouri, where 
she met, and embraced her brother-in-law, L. D. ]STixon, and 
by him was brought back to her people in Texas. On the 19th 
day of February, 1838, she reached her father's house. Twenty- 
one months from the horrid massacre of Fort Parker and her 
capture. She died on 19th of February, 1839, just one year 
after reaching home. Her son, James Pratt Plummer, after 
six long weary years of captivity, was ransomed and taken to 
Fort Gibson late in 1842 and reached home in February, 1843, 
in charge of his grandfather. 

He became a respected citizen of Anderson county, but 
he and his father also are now dead. 

Cynthia Ann Parker and her brother, were held by 
separate bands. The brother and sister thus separated gradu- 
ally forgot the language, manners and customs of their own 



826 The Life and "Writings of 

people and "became thorough Comanches. John grew up with 
the semi-nude Comanche boys of his own age and played at 
hunting and war. When just arrived at manhood, John 
Parker accompanied a raiding party of Comanches down 
the Rio Grande into Mexico. Among the captives taken, 
was a beautiful young maiden, whom the young warrior 
felt his heart go out in tenderness to — the fair Dona Juanita. 
And the two were soon engaged to be married as soon as they 
arrived at the Comanche village. Each day as the cavalcade 
moved steadily along the young lovers could be seen riding, 
and discussing the anticipated pleasures of conjugal life, when 
suddenly John was prostrated with an attack of smallpox. 
The cavalcade could not tarry so it was decided the poor 
fellow should be left alone on the vast plains to die or recover, 
as fate decreed. But the beautiful Juanita refused to 
leave her lover and insisted on her captors allowing her to 
remain and care for him. With Dona Juanita to nurse and 
cheer him up, John lingered, lived, and ultimately recovered, 
when the young people with as little ceremony as was per- 
formed amid the bowers of Eden became husband and wife. 
They settled on a stock farm in the far West where John 
Parker, with his beautiful Dona Juanita became a great stock 
king. But after the most diligent search of weeping and loving 
relatives for Cynthia Ann Parker nothing could be learned. 
Large sums of money were offered for the recovery of the lost 
children. In 1840, Col. Len Williams and Mr. Stout an In- 
dian trader, and a Delaware Indian guide made a trading tour 
on the Canadian river when they fell in with P-a-h-a-u-k-a-s 
band of Comanches and Cynthia Ann Parker was with this 
tribe. From the day of her captivity five years before, she had 
never seen a white person. Colonel Williams proposed to re- 
deem her, but the Comanches replied, "All the goods of the 
white man could not ransom her." 




MEXICAN WAE. 

I propose to give a brief history of the war between Mex- 
ico and the United States. For, as this war grew out of the 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 827 

annexation of Texas and began on our soil, and thousands of 
Texans acted a noble part in the war, it becomes a part of 
Texas history. Texas, after ten years of heroic struggling 
against 8,000,000 Mexicans and 60,000 Indians, found annex- 
ation to the United States a necessity. Great and far-seeing 
patriots, both in Texas and the United States combined to ac- 
complish this glorious result. Mexico, aided by England and 
France opposed annexation by all possibles means. When the 
resolution for annexing Texas was introduced in congress by 
John C. Calhoun, Gen. Almonte, the greatest, wisest and pur- 
est of Mexican statesmen gave the United States formal 
notice that Mexico would regard the annexation of Texas 
as an unlawful seizure of her territory and equivalent 
to a declaration of war. And when annexation was ac- 
complished, on the 4th of July, 1845, by action of Texas, 
and in March, 1846, by the United States, Almonte, with 
a sad heart, demanded his passport, and declared all 
friendly and commercial relations between the United States 
and Mexico ended, and declared Mexico would immediately 
occupy Texas with an armed force. And it was soon fully 
known by reliable private and public information that Mexico 
was marshalling an army of 8,000 men under Gens. Arista and 
Ampudia to recapture ail Texas. They also sent agents to the 
savages on the northern border of Texas, as they sent Cordova 
and Flores to arouse the bloody savages to warfare against 
Texas. Our gallant Governor, Pinkey Henderson, imme- 
diately gave President James K. Polk notice of these dark 
storm clouds hanging over Texas, and requested an armed 
force be sent at once to the Bio Grande and to our Indian 
frontier. The mad action of Mexico in attempting to conquer 
Texas, when aided by the army and navy and wealth of the 
United States, when she had signally failed to conquer alone 
in ten years, can never be fully understood. Many supposed 
she had secret assurance of aid from England and France. But 
the more reasonable solution of the mystery is that "God who 
causes the wrath of man to praise Him and the remainder of 
wrath He restraineth" in His mysterious providence allowed 
Mexico to commit the folly which he over-ruled for extending 
the territory of the United States from the shores of the Atlan- 



828 The Life and Writings of 

tic to the waves of the Pacific and adding untold millions of 
gold and silver to our treasury, and thus preparing the United 
States to become the grandest, the richest, the wisest, the 
purest nation on earth. A nation that shall bear the banner 
of liberty, civilization and Christianity around the globe. 
Whatever was the cause of Mexico's delusion, as soon as it 
was fully known that she was gathering a grand army to 
invade Texas, President Polk ordered Gen. Zachary Taylor to 
collect an army of at least 3,000 men at Corpus Christi and on 
the Rio Grande, the acknowledged boundary between Texas 
and Mexico. As soon as the details of annexation were fully 
consummated in March, 1846, Gen. Taylor marched towards 
the Rio Grande. Three miles east of Matamoras a small de- 
tachment of Mexicans met him, and their commander formally 
protested against his further invading Mexican soil. Gen. 
Taylor replied that the Rio Grande was the boundary 
line, and he intended to camp on that border, and 
desired only peace and good will to Mexico. The Mexicans 
withdrew, and Taylor marched on to the Rio Grande, opposite 
Matamoras, and began at once to construct a fort, afterwards 
known as Fort Brown. Gen. Parades, the President of Mex- 
ico, ordered- Gen. Arista to attack the Americans without 
delay, and on the first day of May the first act of the bloody 
drama of the Mexican war began. Several small skirmishes 
occurred, and the gallant Thornton, with a small squadron of 
cavalry, on vidette duty, was captured by a large Mexican 
force, and Lieut. Porter was killed, and the gallant Texas hero, 
Campt. Sam H. Walker, with his company of rangers, nar- 
rowly escaped. On the 4th of May the terrible bombardment 
of Fort Brown began, and on the 6th the gallant commander, 
Major Brown, was killed, and Major Hawkins succeeded in 
command. Gen. Arista crossed the Rio Grande with an army 
of 6,000 picked troops, intending to capture all the military 
stores and troops at Point Isabel and Corpus Christi 'and cut 
off the hope of recruiting for Fort Brown. The first great battle 
of the war was fought at Palo Alto. Six thousand Mexican?, 
with seven cannon and 800 cavalry, were admirably arranged 
on hilltops and valleys to prevent the advance of Gen. Taylor 
to protect Point Isabel and to relieve Fort Brown. Gen. 



De. Rttfus C. Burleson. 829 

Arista deemed his force and position invincible, and a fierce 
contest followed. 

Gen. Taylor, with less than 3,000 men, routed 6,000 
Mexicans from their strong position. The Mexicans left 100 
dead on the battlefield and many more . severely wounded. 
Many acts of heroism were performed that added glory to 
Texas soil and the American heroes. We must record, as a 
lesson to all soldiers, citizens, and especialy to teachers and 
preachers, the glorious heroism of Major Ringgold. Gen. 
Arista had mounted his cannon in admirable position on a high 
hill in the prairie, so as to pour a deadly fire into the flank of 
Gen. Taylor's army. 

Gen. Taylor called the gallant Major Ringgold, com- 
mander of mounted dragoons, and said: "We must silence 
those death-dealing cannon, or the day is lost. Can you silence 
them? With the modesty of all true greatness, he said, "I 
can try." And as he was dashing forward in front of his 
dragoons, a cannon ball struck him, broke his horse's back and 
broke both of his legs above the knees. The horse and rider 
fell bleeding to the ground. His loving companions halted, 
leaped down, ran and lifted him up. With stentorian voice 
he cried: a Let me die in the dust; on to the charge; on to the 
cannon; on for victory." Fired anew by the dying command 
of their great leader, the men rushed on with renewed cour- 
age, cut down the cannoneers and silenced the death-dealing 
guns. This heroism spread consternation among Arista's 
men, and they retreated in wild confusion. Oh, that all sol- 
diers, citizens, and especially ministers of the gospel and teach- 
ers could ever imitate the heroism of the dying Ringgold, ever 
willing to die in the dust if only victory can come to God's 
holy cause. I learned another striking lesson from the battles 
of Taylor at Palo Alta and Resaca de La Raima. As there 
were then no railroads and no telegraph lines, communica- 
tions were very slow. As they had to be carried by daily or 
weekly mails on horseback or in mail coaches. The first news 
that came was that Gen. Taylor and his whole army of 3,000 
men were butchered by the overwhelming force of 6,000 Mexi- 
cans. The wildest grief spread over the nation. Taylor was 
bitterly denounced as reckless and as wanting in generalship. 



830 The Life and Writings of 

I remember especially at that time, I was pastor at Newport 
Baptist Church in Kentucky, and I dined with Gen. Taylor, 
an aged gentleman of great worth and wealth. At the din- 
ner table I asked him who Gen. Taylor was that had lost our 
army on the Rio Grande. He said: "He is a bull-headed ; 
reckless attache of the army." I asked him if he was a rela- 
tion of his. He said, "No; God forbid that I should be related 
to such a bull-headed simpleton." One of his beautiful 
grand-daughters, sitting at the table, turned her nose slightly 
with a silent sneer at the very thought of relationship with the 
man that had caused our army to be butchered. But one 
month from that time I saw the Scripture realized, "When 
thou doest well for thyself all men will praise thee." I dined 
with my worthy parishioner. In the meantime the thrilling 
news came of the dauntless heroism and the glorious victory 
of Palo Alto and Besaca de La Palma, and that the American 
flag had been planted on the banks of the Bio Grande. The 
whole nation was now resounding with the praises of heroic 
Zachary Taylor. He was now Bough and Beady and the idol 
of the nation. My worthy parishioner had hunted up the 
family record more closely, and found he was actually a cousin 
of his father, and his son-in-law, Col. Tibbatts, was going to 
the Bio Grande to get a position on "Cousin Zach/s staff." 
After dinner the beautiful belle that had turned up her nose 
so scornfully a month before at the very thought of being 
charged with relationship with Gen. Taylor now came in the 
parlor with a paper, and with tears in her eyes said: "Oh, 
Grandpa, dreadful news, dreadful news : Cousin Zach has had 
two congestive chills, and I am afraid he will die before Uncle 
Tibbatts gets there." Thus it is with the world. Wealth 
and success make many friends; failure and misfortune sepa- 
rate a man even from his neighbors and his cousins. 

The second battle was fought at Besaca de La Palma, on 
a little stream called Aroyo Colorado, three miles from Mata- 
moras. Here the Mexicans were routed and chased over the 
Bio Grande by squadrons of dragoons, battalions and artillery. 
The Mexicans lost eight cannon, vast stores of ammunition, 
eight standards, over one hundred prisoners, and among them 
Gen. Bomulo La Yega. Becruits from all parts of the United 






Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 831 

States were pouring in. Texans showed their gratitude and 
heroism by rushing to the front, as it was known that in 
the absence of railroads and steamships, it would require 
weeks, if not months, to get the recruits needed for the prose- 
cution of the Mexican war. The First Begiment of Mounted 
Dragoons was commanded by Col. John T. (Jack) Hays, with 
the heroic Samuel H. Walker, Lieutenant Colonel. The sec- 
ond regiment was raised at and near Galveston, and was com- 
manded by the celebrated Albert Sidney Johnson, who fell 
gloriously in the Confederate war. The third was 
commanded by Col. George T. Wood, afterwards 
Governor. Capt. Ben McCulloch commanded a heroic com- 
pany of mounted videttes and did heroic service. Gov. Pink- 
ney Henderson held the rank of Major General, and ex-Presi- 
dent Lamar and Gen. Edward Burleson and Edward Clark, 
afterwards Governor, held positions on his staff. Later Presi- 
dent Lamar, with Hamilton P. Bee, commanded a company 
stationed at Laredo. In all 8,018 Texans served in the Mex- 
ican war. Many of them performed deeds of valor that add 
luster to the Lone Star State. Gen. Arista and Ampudia saw 
that safety required a rapid retreat from the valley of the Bio 
Grande to Monterey (or Boyal Mountain). 

Monterey they deemed invincible against any force the 
United States could marshal. And I confess, when on a recent 
excursion of the Sabbath School Convention to Mexico, I sur- 
veyed carefully the lofty and almost inaccessible hills, espe- 
cially Independence Hill and the Bishop's palace, nearly 800 
feet hight, I could scarcely see how it was possible for our 
heroic soldiers to scale those lofty summits, all mounted with 
bristling bayonets and death-dealing cannon. But Napoleon 
said : "Impossible is bad French," and is worse English. For, 
after four days of fierce conflict, extending from the 20th to 
the 24th of September, 1846, Gen. Ampudia sent the white 
flag and proposed to surrender the invincible city of Monterey 
to American valor. Among the Texans who displayed such 
courage as to merit the special commendation of Gen. Taylor 
in his published reports were Gen. M. B. Lamar, Gen. Ed 
Burleson, Gen. Albert Sidney Johnson, George T. Wood, Ed 
Clark, Hamilton P. Bee and others. According to the terms of 



832 The Life and Writings of 

the surrender, Gen. Taylor was not to advance beyond Mon- 
terey for eight weeks, as he realized it would require eight 
weeks to recruit his army and prepare for the further invasion 
of Mexico. 

In the meantime, Mexico was appalled to find she had no 
leaders capable of directing the storm of battle against her 
mighty foe. They had banished their great leader, Santa 
Anna, to the Island of St. Thomas. A secret messenger was 
dispatched to him, urging him to return and save the nation 
from speedy ruin. 

But, apparently, an insperable obstacle was in the way. 
The American fleets blockaded all the Mexican ports. But 
the wily and perfidious Santa Anna found means of overcoming 
that difficulty. He dispatched a special courier to President 
Polk that if he could be permitted to pass the blockade to 
Mexico, he could induce the Mexicans to desist from hostili- 
ties and form a treaty of friendly and commercial relations 
with the United States. President Polk, knowing that this 
would be the true policy for Mexico, and not knowing the 
unscrupulous trickery of Santa Anna, ordered the blockading 
fleets to let Santa Anna pass into Mexico. As soon as he 
entered he was placed at the head of the army, and swore eter- 
nal vengeance against the avaricious and unscrupulous Ameri- 
cans. And his first stroke of generalship showed his profound 
skill as a strategist. For by this time President Polk had 
placed Gen. Winfield Scott at the head of the army in Mexico. 
Gen. Scott was to land with a strong blockading fleet at Vera 
Cruz, and march directly on the City of Mexico, a distance of 
230 miles. Gen. Scott, feeling that the Mexican forces in 
North Mexico were overcome, ordered a large portion of Gen. 
Taylor's army to join him at Vera Cruz. The wily Santa 
Anna, instantly grasping the situation, concentrated his whole 
army in North Mexico to crush Gen. Taylor and the remnant 
of his army, and concentrate his forces on Gen. Scott. On 
the 22nd day of April the artful Santa Anna marshalled in 
person 25,000 Mexicans to annihilate the heroic army of Gen. 
Taylor, with only about 5,000 troops. It is doubtful whether 
greater scenes of heroism were ever displayed on this conti- 
nent than were displayed by Gen. Taylor and his little army 



Du. Rufus C. Burleson. 833 

at Buena Vista. The wily Santa Anna had ordered a power- 
ful detachment of picked troops to flank Gen. Taylor's army, 
and thus, by attacking him on the front and on the right and 
left flank, to overwhelm his little army with 25,000 Mexican 
soldiers. The heroic Jeff Davis, commanding 1,200 heroic 
Mississippi riflemen, saw that unless that flanking party could 
be driven back all was lost. He, with courage and skill never 
surpassed, attacked and mowed down scores of the advancing 
columns. The astonished Mexicans, panic-stricken, fled from 
the field of battle. The whole army became panic-stricken 
and joined in the retreat. It is said that Gen. Taylor had been 
a bitter enemy of Jeff Davis from the time Davis had stolen 
and married his lovely daughter till that day, but, seeing his 
undying heroism, he took him in his arms, saying, "This day 1 
adopt you as my beloved son. I find my lovely daughter was a 
better judge than I was." But it is not my purpose to write a 
full history of the Mexican war. I will only state that, in rapid 
succession the victorious armies of Gens. Taylor and Scott won 
the battles. 

The first battle of Vera Cruz, deemed by the Mexicans 
invincible against any invading army. 

Second, Cere Gorda, located on a high mountain, so steep 
that Santa Anna said: "I did not think a goat could have 
climbed that mountain." But American valor mounted it, 
all bristling with cannon, and drove the Mexicans in wild con- 
fusion. 

Third, Chapultepec, and lastly, the City of Mexico. A 
South Carolina regiment, leading the band planted the 
Palmetto flag on an elevated scaffold, and by nightfall of Sep- 
tember 13th the City of Mexico was captured, and the Stars 
and Stripes floated over the halls of the Montezumas, Santa 
Anna and his army fled in wild confusion from the city. A 
treaty of peace was signed after some months' delay at Guada- 
lupe-Hidalgo, February 22nd, and our sister republic lay dis- 
membered and bleeding at the feet of American valor, an ob- 
ject of profound pity and commiseration. 

The United States had warned Mexico in the begining 
that if she was forced into war Mexico would be made to pay 
the war debt. But, as her treasury was empty, a merciful 

53 



834 The Life and Writings of 

compromise was adopted, by which. Mexico should cede to the 
United States the territories of California, Nebraska, Nevada, 
Utah, Arizona and a large part of Colorado and Kansas, which 
should be considered a payment of what was due the United 
States on expense of war. The United States agreed, 
in addition, to pay for this territory $15,000,000; also, 
$1,500,000, due to American citizens. Thus, by the annexa- 
tion of Texas, the United States gained an additional territory 
larger than all the territory she possessed prior to 1847, and a 
territory unsurpassed in fertility of soil, salubrity of climate, 
and vast mines of gold, silver, iron and coal, and Texas, by the 
sale of Santa Fe Territory to the United States for $12,500,- 
000, paid off her debts and added $2,500,000 to her school 
fund, and thus prepared her to become the brightest star that 
glitters in the galaxy of States. 

"The Lord causes the wrath of man to praise Him and 
the remainder He restraineth." 



THE GKEAT COMANCHE KAID OF 1840. 

This is the greatest raid ever made by the Indians in 
Texas. It began from the mountains above San Marcos and 
extended to the Port Lavaca Bay on the coast, and back to 
Good's Crossing on Plumb Creek, twenty-seven miles south- 
west of Austin. 

Here this remarkable raid ended in the rout of the Co- 
manches and the re-capture of the prisoners and property they 
had seized at Victoria and Linville. 

This terrible raid was to revenge the killing of thirty- 
two warriors including twelve chiefs, three squaws and two 
children in the council house at San Antonio, at the same 
time thirty-two squaws and children were captured. 

This mcarnful affair has been greatly misunderstood, 
and much unjust censure has been cast on the Texas officers, 
but the facts fully justify our brave men. 

The facts are as follows : Early in February, 1840, the 
Comancbes sent a messenger to Col. Karnes, commanding 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 835 

officer at San Antonio, to make a lasting treaty of peace. 
Col. Karnes replied lie would gladly make peace if they would 
bring to San Antonio the thirteen women and children, they 
held as prisoners. This the Indians promised to do on the 
next light of the moon. 

On March the 19th, 1840, sixty-five Comanches, in- 
cluding women and children came into San Antonio to 
get a big price for the women and children held by 
them as captive, and to have a grand time purchasing 
whiskey, ribbons and all manner of trinkets. But they 
brought only one girl, Miss Matilda Lockhart, who had 
been captured when 13 years old, and held three years 
in slavery, and at one time they had burned off the 
bottoms of her feet to prevent her escaping. The com- 
manding officer asked them why they had not brought the 
thirteen other captives. They falsely and gruffly said, "Thiq 
is the only one we have, the others are scattered around among 
other tribes." The commanding officer knew this was false, 
for Miss Lockhart said she saw them in the camp, just as she 
was leaving, and they were holding them back to get larger 
sums of money. The commanding officer told them they had 
violated their pledge and he would hold them all as prisoners 
until the thirteen women and children were brought in. 

Col. Karnes had provided a strong and sufficient guard 
against any emergencies; and it was well he had. For im- 
mediately the Indians began to fight their way out of the 
council house. A squaw began by knocking down an officer 
with a large club. 

The Indians, after thirty-two warriors, three women and 
two children and seven Texans were killed, surrendered. 
Thirty-two women and children outside of the council house 
were also captured. A squaw was dispatched to inform the 
Comanches if they would bring in the women and children 
they held that they would exchange prisoners. 

After several days this was done and thirteen women 
and children were restored to the loving embrace of fathers, 
mothers and relatives. 

The Comanches were enraged at this defeat, and swore 
bloody vengeance on the pale-faces. 



836 , The Life and Writings of 

On the 6th of August, 1840, about a thousand warriors 
burning with a fiendish rage, commenced their bloody raid. 
They passed down the country seventeen miles east of Gon- 
zales, murdering the few families on their way. They 
reached the quiet town of Victoria, August 6th, 2 :30 p. m. 
The citizens were not dreaming of Indians. Children were 
playing in the yards and on the streets, ladies were shopping 
and joyfully engaged in their domestic affairs, the men were 
engaged in their usual avocations, when these bloody demons 
with horrid yells rushed in the streets and began their 
slaughter. Dr. Gray and a few others who attempted resist- 
ance were cut down. The citizens not killed took refuge in 
their houses and fortified themselves as best they could. The 
Comanches then plundered the stores and private residences of 
everything valuable. They caught in the lots and pastures 
between two and three thousand horses and mules and loaded 
eight hundred or a thousand with the plundered goods. They 
then started to Linville. That night they kindled big fires 
and with fiendish joy danced and yelled around the scalps of 
murdered citizens and their plunder. 

Next morning they hurried on to Linville. On the way 
they captured Mrs. Crosby, the grand-daughter of the cele- 
brated Daniel Boone of Kentucky with her child and nurse. 
About daylight on August the 8th, while many of the citizens 
were in bed, the Indians entered Linville, but throwing them- 
selves on the sides of their horses and riding in this way, de- 
ceived the few early risers who saw them coming, but 
thought they were some of the vast Calallados of horses and 
mules brought into Linville for sale and shipment. 

No language can tell the horror of the innocent people 
when they saw a thousand red demons suddenly rising up in 
their saddles and with fiendish yells, killing the defenseless 
citizens. Resistance was utterly useless and the terror- 
stricken men, women and children rushed for the small 
boats lying in Lavaca Bay. The warwhoop of the wild 
Comanches, the cries of the women and children and the 
groans of the dying, presented a scene of horror the 
rising sun never before dawned upon. The bloody de- 
mons pursued the fleeing men, women and children into the 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 837 

water. Among those killed was Captain H. O. Watts, col- 
lector of customs. He and his beautiful bride were captured 
between the shores and the boats. He was killed and his 
young bride ruthlessly dragged back to the shore and carried 
away captive. The majority of the inhabitants escaped to the 
boats. All others were murdered or carried away captive. 

Linville was the shipping point for a large portion of 
Southwestern Texas and Mexico, and was at that time sup- 
plied with all sorts of merchandise. 

The exulting Comanches greedily sacked the stores and 
private residences and packed several hundred more horses 
and mules with every kind of merchandise, elegant dresses and 
bed clothes from the private residences. They now bedecked 
themselves with red ribbons and gay clothing captured, and 
rode up and down the streets yelling like demons, fired the 
town and burned every house except one. 

What language can express the horrors of the innocent 
men, women and children as they stood on the boats in the bay 
and looked upon their once happy homes burned to ashes and 
remembering many of their loved ones lay bleeding in the 
streets. 

The Comanches with three or four thousand horses 
and mules, many of them heavily packed with goods, 
plundered at Victoria and Linville began their retreat. They 
had glorious visions of the grand feasts and war dance they 
would have when they reached their mountain homes and dis- 
played the scalps and the untold wealth and the women and 
children they had captured. 

But God gave Texas heroes and path-finders who were 
ever ready to revenge such bloody raids. Among these were 
Ben and Thomas McCulloch, "Paint Caldwell/' John H. 
Moore, Ed Burleson, Gotch Hardman and others. 

They had a very stirring system of telephoning in those 
early days. It was this; as soon as an Indian raid was dis- 
covered, the exposed pioneer fired his gun and his wife at the 
same time blew the horn, the next neighbor repeated the same 
firing and blowing the horn until the signal ran from Austin 
to LaGrange, a distance of over sixty miles. At the signal 
every man seized his gun and rushed to his place of rendez- 



838 The Life and Whitings of 

vous. Those near LaGrange met at Colonel H. Moore's, those 
near Bastrop met at Gen. Ed. Burleson's, those near Webber- 
ville at "Paint Caldwell's/' all concentrated at the point sug- 
gested by Gen. Burleson. With lightning speed this terrible 
Comanche raid was telephoned and General Burleson ordered 
all to meet and attack the Comanches at Good's Crossing on 
Plumb Creek, twenty-seven miles below Austin. The grand 
old hero "Paint Caldwell" with eighty-two heroes reached the 
place of rendezvous first, August 11th, 1840. 

Next morning the scouts reported a thousand Indians 
coming on the prairie with vast herds of horses and mules 
and several women and children. But Gen. Burleson, nor 
Moore, nor McCulloch, nor Hardman had arrived, and was it 
safe for eighty-two men to attack a thousand Comanches? 
But they looked upon the awful spectacle and saw them mov- 
ing along with women and children old "Paint Caldwell" 
could restrain no longer, but yelled out "Boys yonder they go, 
they have got our women and children — they are a thousand 
strong — but we can whip hell out of them. Shall we fight ?" 
All shouted, "Yes, fight, fight." But just at that time the 
courier came galloping up crying, "Gen. Burleson with one 
hundred Texans and thirteen Tonhamas and old Placido are 
coming. In the meantime Gen. Felix Huston (not Houston) 
arrived, and as Major General of militia he took command. 

The Indians were exceedingly anxious to defer the battle 
until they could get their pack-mules with their vast plunder 
and captured women and children beyond the reach of the 
infuriated Texans. And Gen. Huston was equally anxious to 
defer the battle until more recruits come. Several bluff old 
Indian fighters told him that he knew nothing about fighting- 
Indians, that he ought to resign and let Gen. Burleson com- 
mand. But this was Gen. Huston's first chance for glory. The 
Indian chiefs did all in their power to intimidate the Texans 
until they could get their plunder and capture far removed. 
Several of the Indian "chiefs charged up in front of the Texans 
and hurled defiant arrows at them. One of these daring 
chiefs rode a fine horse with a fine American bridle, with a 
red ribbon eight or ten feet long tied to the tail of his horse. 
He was dressed in elegant style from the goods plundered at 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 839 

Victoria and Linville, with, a high, top silk hat, fine pair of 
boots, leather gloves and an elegant broadcloth coat hind-part 
before, with brass buttons shining brightly up and down his 
back. When he first made his appearance he was carrying a 
large "umbrella stretched. He and others would charge upon 
the Texans, shoot their arrows, and retreat. This was done 
several times in reach of our guns. Soon the discovery was 
made that they wore shields, and though our men took good 
aim, the bullets glanced. An old Texan getting as near the 
place as was safe, waited patiently till they came up and as the 
Indian checked his* horse, his shield flew up, the Texan fired 
and brought him to the ground. Several others fell at the 
same time. Then the Indians began their retreat and would 
soon be beyond the reach of the Texans. 

Gen. Huston was now told by the gallant McCulloch and 
Gen. Burleson that the time had come when they must fight 
and he reluctantly gave the order, charge. Never was a com- 
mand obeyed with wilder shouts. Every man was a hero; 
and the conscious-stricken, blood-stained Comanches were 
swept away like chaff before a tornado. The Indians fled in 
wild confusion. E"o one thought of saving anything but his 
own scalp. They abandoned their three thousand horses and 
plunder and the captured women and children they had, but 
they could not forego the fiendish pleasure of murdering Mrs. 
Crosby and her child and nurse. They shot an arrow also in 
the bosom of the lovely young bride, Mrs. Watts, and left her 
as dead, but Rev. Z. E". Morrell and Dr. Brown heard her 
screams in the thicket and went to her assistance, extracted the 
arrow and she recovered and lived many years and died at 
Port Lavaca in 1878, but never forgot the Comanche raid 
of 1840. 

The enraged Texans pursued the fleeing Indians for ten 
or fifteen miles. The Indians fled to their mountain homes 
utterly crushed. They confidently intended with the three 
or four thousand horses and mules and booty captured at Vic- 
toria and LinviUe to make a grander raid down the Colorado 
River to the Gulf. 

In the meantime Canalizo and Woll, Mexican Generals, 
with three thousand cavalry were to rush f orward and capture 



840 The Life and Writings of 

San Antonio and Austin and all their booty, and Bowles and 
his Cherokees were to move down on East Texas and the 
Waco's and Apaches down the Brazos and Central Texas and 
thus utterly wipe out the Texans. 

But the routed Comanches retreated to their mountain 
homes overwhelmed with the conviction that the Texans were 
invincible, and that their safety and existence depended only 
on letting them alone. 

Thus ended the great Comanche raid of 1840 at Good's 
Crossing on Plum Creek, two miles from where Lockhart now 
stands and twenty-seven miles from the city of Austin. 



GEN. WOLL'S INVASION OF TEXAS AND THE 
MIEK EXPEDITION. 

These two terrible events in Texas history are insep- 
erably connected. The Mier expedition or invasion of Mexico 
by the Texans was a mad, foolish effort at revenge, for Woll's 
invasion of Texas and his capture of San Antonio. 

The Mexicans kept continual paid agents among all the 
leading Indian tribes urging them to harrass the Texans in 
every possible way — killing and driving off their stock, burn- 
ing their houses, murdering their women and children or 
carrying them into cruel bondage. All of which the Indians 
did in the massacre at Fort Parker, the Comanche raid, attack- 
ing Victoria and burning Linville, and the Cherokee war 
under Bowles, the murder and scalping of Gilliland and Wil- 
bager, the murder of the Colemans and one thousand other 
outrages committed on the Texans. The Mexicans assuring 
the Indians that as soon as they could quell some insurrec- 
tions and revolutions at home they would sweep down upon 
the bleeding, exhausted Texans with at least two thousand 
splendidly mounted cavalrymen and thus completely exter- 
minate or drive from Texas soil the last one of the hated 
Anglo Americans and make the beautiful land of Texas the 
perpetual home of Mexicans and Indians. 

Six years had passed since the battle of San Jacinto and 
the Mexican army of eight thousand were chased out of 



Dr. Kufus C. Buklesox. 841 

Texas, and their great leader, the Napoleon of the West, "was 
captnred. The Mexicans goaded to madness by the remem- 
brance of these things, and to encourage their bloody Indian 
allies, sent two thousand Mexican cavalrymen under Gen. 
Vasque and Adrian Woll to invade Texas. Their first aim 
was to capture San Antonio, and if successful, to dash into 
Austin and capture Gen. Houston and his cabinet and seize 
all the government archives and carry them off. 

The Indians were to make a bloody invasion along the 
whole frontier and by this combined assault the Texans were 
to be wiped out. According to this plan on the 11th of July, 
1842, Gen. Adrain Woll, with one thousand and three hund- 
red picked Mexican cavalry, and three hundred Greasers and 
Indians, all well mounted, dashed into San Antonio. The 
attack was wholly unexpected, District court was in session 
and the court house was crowded to witness the trial of a 
celebrated case. 

The presiding judge, Hutchinson, J. W. Robinson, 
lieutenant governor under Henry J. Smith, a number of other 
lawyers and officers of the court were captured. 

So complete was the capture that on Wall's retreat, and 
in camp on the Hondo, a good natured lawyer arose among the 
prisoners and said : "May it please your honor, we have 
here in camp to-night the judge, the clerk with all the papers, 
the criminal, all the witnesses and the twelve jurors and the 
lawyers on both sides. I therefore move your honor order the 
sheriff to call the court and proceed to try the case, beginning 
just where we left off when Gen. Woll laid his quash on our 
proceedings in San Antonio." The grim old judge replied 
"He thought there would be very little law and less fun in 
any such proceeding." And the case never was resumed so 
far as history reports. 

Judge Hutchinson after two years imprisonment in 
Mexico was released and settled in Mississippi. On a visit 
to my sister I was anxious to see him and gather up facts in 
regard to Woll's capture of San Antonio. He said he would 
be glad to see Mrs. Siveley's brother; but said, "I am soured 
on Texas and I do not want to see or hear anything that will 
remind me of the scenes of my capture and confinement in 



842 The Life and Writings of 

the horrid dungeons of Mexico. But let it be recorded in 
justice to Gen. Woll that he and his men behaved well, and 
inflicted no needless, lawless outrages on private citizens or 
their property." Having thus captured the great city of San 
Antonio without firing a gun, Gen. Woll appointed Alcaldes 
and other Mexican officers instead of Judge Hutchinson and 
others whom he removed so unceremoniously, but was more 
eager to rush on to Austin and seize a bigger prize. But old 
and prominent Mexicans at San Antonio, who had always 
secretly sympathized with Mexico, said, "If you go to Austin, 
Gen. Burleson and his Bastrop brigade will fall in your rear 
at San Marcos, cut off your retreat and kill and capture every 
man, and make another San Jacinto. By the well known 
signals of firing guns and blowing horns the whole country for 
forty miles can be aroused in one hour, and they are more 
rapid in their movements than the Arabs, and fear no dan- 
ger." But allured by the fascinating hope of capturing the 
President and Capital of Texas, he started on his perilous raid. 
But to his astonishment on the Salado, six miles east of San 
Antonio, he found that grand old Texan, "Paint Caldwell," 
and the fiery young Jack Hays, intrenched in the bed of the 
Salado, and ready to fall on his rear like hungry lions on their 
prey. 

About 2 o'clock, Gen. Woll, with sixteen hundred in- 
fantry, cavalry and artillery, surrounded the Spartan band of 
two hundred Texans. Their grand old leader, Col. Caldwell, 
in a few words of burning eloquence, said, "Boys we can 
never surrender; we must all die fighting; and although they 
outnumber us eight to one we can whip them as we did at 
San Jacinto." He called on Elder Z. E". Morrell, who was 
equally gallant in the use of the musket as in wielding the 
sword of the spirit, to encourage the boys. The old hero 
cried aloud, "Boys, we are going into battle against fearful 
odds, eight to one, but their cannon can't hurt us intrenched 
as we are. Keep cool. Don't fire till you see the whites of 
their eyes. Shoot every man who wears an officer's cap or 
sword, and before God we can whip them." 

Just at that moment the cannon roared and the shot 
rattled among the tops of the trees and cut down the limbs. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 843 

Immediately the Mexicans came moving up in grand martial 
array, with a splendid band of music, guns, spears, infantry 
and cavalry. Not a gun was fired till the Mexicans were 
within thirty feet of the Texans, when 200 death-dealing rifles 
fired. The whole front line fell. Some few sprang to their 
feet screaming in agony. In five minutes not an officer could 
be seen. Then men stood appalled with horor. Gen. Woll, 
standing at his cannon on top of the hill, saw his men falling 
like autumn leaves before the tornado, while the Texans were 
unhurt. He knew the day was lost. He sounded the horn 
for retreat, and the Mexicans fled in wild confusion from the 
scene of slaughter, leaving two hundred dead and wounded 
on the field. 

The Texans could scarcely be restrained from pursuing 
them. But while the Texans were exulting in their victory 
gained without the loss of a single man, they heard the firing 
of rifles in the rear of the Mexicans. It was the brave Capt. 
Dawson, of LaGrange, who, on receiving Col. Caldwell's call 
for men, gathered fifty-two men, many of them young men 
whose fathers had gone to the front. Capt. Dawson came 
up in the rear just in time to hear the firing of the guns and 
see on the broad, open prairie the Mexicans fieeing in wild 
disorder. 

As soon as Gen. Woll discovered this little band he 
ordered his men to surround and kill or capture them. The 
Mexicans burning with revenge for their recent defeat, 
speedily surrounded the little band, who took shelter in a little 
"Island of Timber" standing in the vast prairie. 

The two hundred heroes intrenched in the bed of the 
Salado saw the unequal fight of fourteen hundred Mexicans 
against fifty-two Texans, and were perfectly conscious they 
were powerless to give them any aid, and knowing some of 
them were their own sons and neighbors' sons, no human 
tongue can express the agony of soul they felt. They saw 
thirty-five of the brave little band of fifty-two fall in battle, 
two escaped and fifteen were made prisoners. But the little 
Spartan band did not fall in vain. Nearly one hundred dead 
Mexicans lay upon the field. When the battle was over the 
Mexicans from San Antonio gathered around Gen. Woll 




84:4 The Life and Writings of 

and said, "You have a foretaste of what you will find if you 
try to capture Austin. Burleson with his terrible Bastrop brig- 
ade; with Caldwell and his heroes, will fall on you and not a 
single soldier will cross the Kio Grande to tell the tale. And 
they are coming and soon all hope of retreat will be cut off." 
Gen. Woll aroused to the consciousness of his danger, com- 
menced his retreat to San Antonio and spent the night in 
carrying their dead into the city and burying them. 

It was a night of horrible suspense to the brave two hun- 
dred, many of whom knew their sons and neighbors were in 
Dawson's band. 

Next morning, by daylight, fathers and brothers were 
turning over and examining the dead bodies. Bitter wailings 
and mourning rent the air as some loved and mangled form 
was discovered. Elder Z. 1ST. Morrell learned from the muster 
roll, or some other papers, that his noble son, Allen, was in the 
company, and no doubt a prisoner in chains. A burning de- 
sire filled the father's heart to rescue his boy or die in the 
struggle. 

The little band of two hundred had increased to ^ve hun- 
dred and still they were coming, and they hurried on in pur- 
suit of the retreating Mexicans. 

They overtook Woll and his men on the Hondo, forty 
miles west of San Antonio. Gen. Woll planned the battle 
with consummate skill. His cannon were placed upon a high 
hill with infantry on each side of the road, up which the Tex- 
ans had to pass in charging the cannon. 

But the cannoneers and the musketeers both overshot 
the Texans, who, with a yell which struck terror to the Mexi- 
can heart, charged up and shot down the cannoneers, and the 
infantry fled in wild confusion to their main encampment. 

Many of the soldiers, especially Bro. Morrell and those 
who had sons among the prisoners, were eager to press on and 
rescue their loved ones, but it was dark and it was thought to 
be safer to wait till daylight next morning. 

During the night Gen. Woll retreated and next morn- 
ing he was several miles away. 

A council of war was called to decide whether to pursue 
the flying enemy. 



Dr. Ktjfus C. Burleson. 845 

It was in vain that Father Morrell and Judge Hemphill 
urged the men with tears to go with them and rescue the brave 
boys that rushed out from LaGrange to aid them in their 
unequal contest, now doomed to waste years in Mexican dun- 
geons unless rescued. 

Gen. Woll reported to his government that he lost six 
hundred men in his invasion of Texas, and therefore could not 
have had more than one thousand men, who were utterly de- 
moralized in three battles. This is one of the disgraceful 
pages of Texas history that I record with a blush. But for 
this cowardly act of a few timid men, Woll's invasion of 
Texas in 1842 would have been as disastrous as Cos' was in 
1835 and Santa Anna in 1836. 

He escaped to Mexico with the loss of six hundred men 
and half his cannon, while Texans only lost thirty-six killed 
and fifteen prisoners. 

The Mier expedition originated in a burning desire in the 
hearts of the Texans to avenge the wrongs Mexico had com- 
mitted in Texas by the invasion of Vazques and Woll, and 
also for sending emissaries all along our Indian frontier to in- 
cite the bloody savages to burn our houses and murder and 
scalp our women and children. 

All that fearfully large class that reason from their pas- 
sions and prejudices clamored for invading Mexico. They 
claimed with equally folly that there was a large element in 
Mexico opposed to the government, and if an army of well 
beloved Texans, such as they met at the Alamo and San Ja- 
cinto, could only get into Mexico, vast armies of loving Mexi- 
cans would rush to their embrace. It was in vain that Gen. 
Houston and all our real statesmen who always reason from 
facts, and not from passion and prejudice, showed them that 
the grand predominant trait of Spanish character for four 
hundred years had been hatred against foreign domination; 
But madness ruled the hour, as in the case of secession and a 
thousand other minor cases where passion, and hot heads, 
ruled the masses. 

Mexico must and should be invaded and punished for her 
wrongs inflicted on Texas. The hot heads claimed that two 




846 The Life and Weittngs of 

thousand men and $10,000 would be sufficient to invade 
Mexico. Houston told them it would require fifty thousand 
men and $10,000,000 to invade Mexico successfully. And 
the invasion of Mexico by the United States showed how much 
better it is to reason from facts than passion. 

But madness ruled the hour and a little army of about 
one thousand men flocked to the Eio Grande to invade a 
nation of eight million. All the men wanted Gen. Burleson to 
lead the invasion. But Gen. Houston appointed Gen. A. 
Somervell, the old secretary of war, with instructions to march 
to the Rio Grande and cross over as soon as he deemed it pru- 
dent. When Gen. Somervell reached the army and found the 
men clamoring for Gen. Burleson he generously proposed to 
resign. But Gen. Burleson, with equal modesty, declined to 
accept the command. The army of invasion now marched to 
the Rio Grande and captured the town of Laredo. The army 
of invasion wandered along the banks of the Rio Grande amid 
the dense chaparral, as Gen. Somervell did not deem it 
prudent to cross over as the sagacious Houston foresaw, he 
abandoned the invasion. All returned home except about 
three hundred. These elected Rhodes Fisher as their leader. 

These, after fighting heroically at Mier, surrendered as 
prisoners of war, but were marched off to the City of Mexico 
in chains as felons. At Hacienda Salado they rose on the 
guard, overpowered them and made their escape. 

After wandering about for days in the mountains and 
dense forests of Mexico they were recaptured and Santa Anna 
ordered every tenth man to be shot. One hundred and fifty- 
nine white beans and seventeen black ones were put in a box, 
and every man that drew a white bean was doomed to hard, 
degrading toil under insulting overseers. Those who drew 
the black beans were immediately shot. Before being shot 
they called on Mr. Robert Dunham, one of their number, a 
pious Methodist, to pray for th'em. Mr. Dunham knelt down 
and offered a most earnest prayer for them, and himself, when 
they were blindfolded and shot. 

The one hundred and fifty-nine who drew the white 
beans, after two years of loathsome confinement, were re- 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 



847 



leased by the dying request of Santa Anna's wife. Her wom- 
anly heart was touched by the suffering of the poor Texan 
prisoners and her dying request, was that they be released and 
sent home. Thus ended the Mier expedition. 



PRESIDENTS OF THE KEPUBLIC OF TEXAS— 

1836-46. 




David G. Buknet. 
Sam Houston. 



M. B. Lamar. 
Anson Jones. 



PRESIDENTS OF THE REPUBLIC. 

The ten years of the Republic of Texas from 1836 to 
1846 will ever be memorable in the history of Texas. Memo- 
rable for the many acts of unsurpassed heroism on the battle- 
field, unsurpassed wisdom in counsel and patient suffering of 
the people. 



■ 848 The Life and Writings of 

But, above all, memorable for the wisdom and goodness 
of God for giving Texas such heroes in battle and such states- 
men to guide the helm of state. 

David G. Burnet was elected President ad interim on 
the inauguration of the Kepublic, March 2, 1836. He was 
peculiarly fitted for the important and perilous crisis. He 
had an army to recruit and support, a government to inaugu- 
rate and carry forward without buildings or a dollar in the 
treasury. He was born in New Jersey in 1788 — four years 
older than Gen. Sam Houston. His pious and intelligent 
parents gave him the education of heart and head that fitted 
him fully for his great life work. 

In 1806, when eighteen years old, his soul was deeply 
aroused by the suffering patriots of Venezuela, and he spent 
four years as an officer under Gen. Miranda. But when that 
patriot was captured and murdered, young Burnet returned 
to the United States and settled in Cincinnati, and read law 
with his distinguished brother, Judge Burnet. But, his 
health failing, he came to Texas, and spent three years 
roaming over our health-giving prairies with the Comanche 
Indians. His health Being thoroughly restored, he returned 
to New Jersey, and while there married Miss Estis, of New 
York, whose pure heart and brilliant intellect prepared her 
to become a helpmate for him in his life work. 

In 1833 he and his young wife entered the schooner 
"Call" with all their personal and household goods. The ves- 
sel was wrecked off Bolivia Point, and the young coup^ had 
to wade through the breakers to the shore, and, though bereft 
of all, with undaunted hearts they began their great life work 
in Texas. 

Mr. Burnet was a. leading member of the convention of 
1834, and wrote the powerful memorial to the Mexican Gov- 
ernment, showing the importance of Texas becoming a sepa- 
rate State from Coah-uila. 

He also presented a set a stirring resolutions against the 
African slave trade, then carried on with great profit by 
Munroe Edwards and others. Large ship loads of the sons of 
Africa were landed at Anahuac and Velasco, not only for 
Texas, but also for Louisiana. One man made $65,000 by 



Dr. Rufits C. Burlesox. 849 

this infamous traffic. These resolutions were bitterly de- 
political life and spent his last days in sad disappointment, 
slave trade was banished from Texas. He was appointed Dis- 
trict Judge of the Brazos Department in 1834, and held court 
regularly at San Felipe. 

Tie, with Stephen F. Austin and others, earnestly opposed 
the total separation of Texas from Mexico till the last efforts 
to secure the rights of Texas were exhausted. But when 
Santa Anna blotted out the last vestige of republicanism in 
Mexico, and sent four military despots to extend military rule 
over Texas, he entered with his whole soul into the revolu- 
tion, and on the 16th of March, 1836, was elected President 
ad interim of the Republic. But on the very clay his elec- 
tion the sad news came that the Alamo had fallen and her 
noble heroes were inhumanely murdered. Very soon the 
sad news came that Fannin and his 400 men were captured 
and later murdered at Goliad. Very soon the news came that 
Grant, Ward and King were captured at Refugio. Very 
soon the bloody, infamous tyrant, Santa Anna, with 8,000 sol- 
diers, was pursuing Gen. Houston with his little army of 784 
men. 

President Burnet deemed it safe to remove the capital 
from Washington to Harrisburg. A fearful panic spread 
over the whole country. Old men, women and children were 
seen everywhere fleeing from Santa Anna. 

But Houston seized the golden moment, April 21, 1836, 
and crushed Santa Anna with his picked troops. 

But, alas, with this glorious victory and the Mexican 
army banished from Texas, there arose fearful dissensions that 
threatened to engulf Texas in ruin. 

Sam Houston, so eminently gifted to rule the stormy 
elements, was dangerously wounded in the battle of San 
Jacinto, and had gone to New Orleans for treatment. 

And, as it always happens, when victory is won and hon- 
ors are to be divided, a number of ambitious men will rush to 
the front and desire to be leaders and appropriate the honors 
to themselves. 

These infamous intriguers whispered it around among 
the half-fed and badly-paid soldiers that Sam Houston, 

54 



850 The Life and "Writings of 

Stephen F. Austin and David Gr. Burnet had been bribed 
by Santa Anna to release him, when he should have been 
hanged for murdering Crockett, Bowie, Bonham and others, 
and if they were in power they would see that the half- 
clothed and unpaid heroes of San Jacinto should be well 
fed, clothed and paid. These whisperings kindled sparks 
that soon stirred names of indignation and anarchy. And as 
Houston was not present to guide the raging storm, and noble- 
hearted and honest Burnet had no skill in that direction, 
soon mutiny and anarchy ruled the hour. It was resolved 
to arrest President Burnet and his Cabinet and try them for 
treason, and seize Santa Anna on the ship about to sail for 
Mexico, and establish a military despotism in Texas. 

The very evil against which the war of the Texas revo- 
lution was waged. With shame and only as an eternal warn- 
ing against all such ambitious, "upstarts" in church or State, 
we record the infamous order adopted by T. C. Millard, Tom 
Jeff Green and others : 

"You are hereby ordered to proceed from Quintana to 
Yelasco and arrest the person of D. G-. Burnet; take into your 
possession the books and records and papers of the Secretary 
of State, of War, and of the Treasury, and then safely keep, 
and report forthwith." 

This order was signed by Col. H. H. Miller and 
addressed to Col. A. Turner, who, though violently opposed 
to releasing Santa Anna, was equally opposed to the outrage 
of arresting President Burnet, and thus overthrowing the 
civil government adopted by Texas. In the meantime one of 
the men who came with Millard got drunk and told the secret 
object of their visit to arrest President Burnet. 

When it became known that the army contemplated sub- 
verting the civil authority, a wonderful reaction took place 
in the public mind. Such citizens as Thomas P. McKinney, 
W. H. and Patrick Jack, W. H. Wharton and others resolved 
to stand by the President at all hazards; and Gen. Lamar, 
who violently opposed the releasing of Santa Anna, said He 
would die by the President and civil authority. Some of the 
people threatened the lives of Millard and his companions, 
and they found it very important for them to leave the seat 
of government at once. It was providential that at that time 



i 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 851 

"the Buckeye Rangers," from Cincinnati, Ohio, just arrived, 
and they had been magnificently entertained at the Burnet 
House by President D. J. Burnet's brother, and some of them 
were sons of the noble women of Cincinnati who furnished 
the Twin Sisters, or two cannons, for the Texas army, that did 
such glorious work at the battle of San Jacinto. These Twin 
Sisters were shipped to Texas as hollow ware. This company 
unanimously and enthusiastically declared for President Bur- 
net. In the meantime some of the desperadoes threatened 
to assassinate the President; and his heroic wife kept a light 
burning in the front window all night, and sat in a secure 
place with a revolver in her hand, resolved to die with her 
husband. Amid all these terrible convulsions one of Presi- 
dent Burnet's children died from exposure in an uncomfort- 
able house. But amid all these surging billows of opposition 
he stood like an ocean-beaten rock, and soon the foaming bil- 
lows of anarchy passed away. 

But let no one suppose that this shameful outburst of 
ambition and intrigue was peculiar to Texas, for it is the out- 
growth of depraved humanity, and it has developed itself in 
every part of the world's history. Even our great and good 
Gen. Washington, after he had fought gloriously the battles 
of liberty and was elected President, ambitious upstarts 
secretly whispered and afiirmed that he had been bribed by 
the British Government; and the same class of persons said 
that the great and good John Adams obtained the office of 
President by British gold. 

President Burnet, to show that he had no ambition, 
merely to hold power, on the 23d of October, 1836, ordered 
an election to be held on the first Monday in December, 1836, 
for the election of President and other permanent officers of 
Government. 

Sam Houston was elected President and M. B. Lamar 
Vice-President. Gen. Houston had been compelled to go to 
New Orleans for surgical treatment of a terrible wound he 
had received at the battle of San Jacinto, and while the wound 
was being successfully treated by Dr. Christian he received 
another wound. The heart of the grand old hero was deeply 
pierced by arrows shot from the lovely blue eyes of Miss Mag- 



852 The Life and Writings of 

gie Lee, of Marion, Alabama, who was then on a visit to New 
Orleans and providentially met the grand old hero. So the 
hero of San Jacinto returned home healed in soul and body 
and a hundred-fold better prepared to guide Texas in her 
onward move to glory. 

The history of Sam Houston is so familiar I will 
only add that it is the solemn conviction of all who 
know his wonderful history, and the fierce and stormy trials 
through which he passed, are fully convinced that he was the 
God-sent man and the only man good enough and bad enough 
to save Texas and to prepare her to become the grandest State 
between the oceans. 

The foundation stone of Gen. Houston's greatness was 
laid in his magnificent physical and mental nature. He stood 
6 feet 6 inches tall, he weighed 230 pounds and without a 
pound of surplus flesh. He stood erect, with a broad and ele- 
vated forehead, with an eye penetrating as an eagle's. His 
second great preparation for his life work was the training by 
his grand old Scotch Presbyterian mother. She trained him 
form the cradle to reverence God and the Bible, and to love 
his parents and his native land more than life. Thirdly, he 
was blessed with a grand teacher, the venerable Dr. Isaac 
Anderson, the founder of Maryville College, in Tennessee. 
This grand old teacher taught young Houston these grand les- 
sons: First, how to think, Second, what to think, Third, 
what are the helps of correct thinking. Under the third 
class — helps for correct thinking — he gave him the Bible, 
Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, the life of Ben Franklin and 
of Washington, Watt's Improvement of the Mind, and Hom- 
er's Iliad. And young Houston made these authors the com- 
panions of his life. When clerk in a store on the frontier of 
Tennessee he had these books around him, and while other 
boys were attending horse racing, hunting and shooting 
matches, he was poring over these grand books. He could 
repeat by heart whole books of Homer's Hiad. Fifth, the 
training of his life work was his home amons: the Cherokee 
Indians with the family of the old chief, Ouleteka. Here 
he studied profoundly the nature of the Indians, and no man 
ever lived, save William Penn, that gained such power and 
control as Sam Houston over the Indians. By his magic 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 853 

power lie was enabled to hold in check 30,000 Indians on our 
frontier, and at the same time repel 8,000,000 Mexicans on 
the west, and with magic power maintained law and order in 
Texas. 

During Houston's first administration of two years, law 
and order were restored, and such a rigid system of economy 
was adopted and the young republic was so thoroughly organ- 
ized it ws recognized as an independent nation by France, 
England and the United States. 

Crops were abundant, homes were happy and everything 
promised a glorious future. But the Constitution limited the 
office of the first President to two years, and at its end Hous- 
ton retired. And his Vice-President, Gen. M. B. Lamar, 
was elected President, and Judge Burnet Vice-President. 

Gen. Lamar was a great scholar, orator, soldier and 
patriot. He was a native of Georgia, and belonged to an old 
and distinguished Huguenot family. He had visited Texas 
and determined to make it his future home, and had returned 
to Georgia to wind up his business. But when he heard that 
Santa Anna was invading Texas with 8,000 troops, he hurried 
back to Texas, and landed at Velasco. But, finding no means 
of conveyance, he set out on foot, and reached the Texas 
army at Groee's Retreat, and enlisted as a private soldier. 

In a preliminary skirmish on the 20th of April he dis- 
played extraordinary heroism in rescuing Walter P. Lane, 
when surrounded by a strong force of Mexican cavalry. He 
heroically dashed over one Mexican, killed another and dis- 
armed a third. On account of this heroism Gen. Houston 
promoted him to the command of the cavalry. And on the 
ever memorable 21st of April he showed that he was a hero 
among heroes. Soon after the battle of San Jacinto he was 
made Secretary of War in Burnet's Cabinet, and on the 1st 
of October he was elected Vice-President under Houston. 
And when Houston's two years expired Lamar was elected 
President for three years. 

ISTo man ever rose more rapidly in honor and universal 
esteem than this gallant young hero. But alas ! as soon as he 
reached the summit, he showed that, though brave and bril- 
liant and the soul of honor, like most Frenchmen, he lacked 



854 The Life and Writings of 

strong common sense, the most valuable sense in the world. 
He regarded the administration of Houston as too tame and 
economical. And especially he regarded his policy of gentle 
forbearance with the Indians and Mexicans as unwise. Lamar 
recommended the chartering of a national bank, and a more 
elegant outfit in all Government affairs. He also initiated the 
grand educational fund of Texas by appropriating fifty 
leagues of land for a State University; three leagues, and 
afterwards increased to four, for each county. He proclaimed 
that "the boundary line of the Republic would be drawn with 
the sword," and a vigorous resistance of Mexicans and Indians 
was waged all along the line. The killing of the twelve 
Comanche chiefs and the thirty-two warriors at the "Council 
House," in San Antonio, aroused the Comanches to make 
their grand raid from the mountains to the Gulf, and the 
sacking of Victoria and Linville and the burning of the lat- 
ter, followed immediately by the Cherokee war under Bowles 
in Eastern Texas. In short, the camp fires were blazing from 
the Rio Grande and from every mountain top for 300 miles of 
our Indian frontier. The treasury was empty, and every- 
thing theatened ruin to Texas. The gallant and noble Lamar 
struggled as heroically as ever man did, but all in vain. His 
whole sensitive nature gave way, and he asked Congress to 
relieve him from his official duties and allow him to retire to 
his old home in Georgia. This sad request was granted, and 
the grand old patriot, David G. Burnet, Vice-President, 
filled out the three years' term of Lamar. ~No living man ever 
questioned Lamar's patriotism and devotion to Texas. He 
was simply impracticable and wanting in common sense. But 
he was ever true to Texas and performed several important 
duties. His first wife having died, he married the brilliant 
daughter of John Neweland MofTett, a sister of Commodore 
MofTett. He spent his last days on his beautiful farm near 
Richmond, Texas, and died December 19, 1859, and was 
buried in the graveyard where sleeps the heroine, Mrs. Dr. 
Long, of Eredonian fame, and not far from the Episcopal 
burying ground, where s]eeps the celebrated spy and courier, 
"Deaf Smith." 

In the deplorable condition, all hearts turned to the hero 
of San Jacinto, and he was elected President, and Gen. Bur- 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 855 

leson Vice-President, but the prospects were so dark with a 
bankrupt treasury, an unpaid army, 30,000 hostile Indians on 
the north and 8,000,000 Mexicans on the west, that many 
patriots despaired of the Eepublic, and Congress passed a 
resolution to make Gen. Houston "dictator" for life. But 
with the grand patriotism of his great soul, he declined, and in 
an earnest appeal to the people implored them a not to despair 
of the Eepublic, but to go to work, plant corn, study economy, 
and, above all, pray earnestly that the God of Liberty would 
guide/' and that all would be well. 

Houston left General Burleson to watch over home af- 
fairs, and he mounted his splendid horse and, with a few 
friends, both white and Indians, he visited the hostile camp 
fires for 300 miles on the frontier. He said, with tears: 
"We are all children of the same great Spirit and must live as 
brethren." They smoked the pipe of peace, and harmony 
was restored. After three years of strict economy Texas 
bonds issued by Houston were worth 100 cents on the dollar. 
The battle of San Jacinto was not a more glorious triumph 
than this second administration of Houston. Very many bit- 
terly regretted that clause in the Constitution that forbade 
the re-election of a retiring President. The great question 
was then, "Who shall succeed Houston?" 

Many felt that Gen. Ed Burleson had never been honored 
as he ought to have been, and insisted that he be elected Pres- 
ident. But many said that he was such an Indian fighter and 
hater that he would renew all the hostilities with the Indians 
and Mexicans, and, while recognizing his honesty and integ- 
rity, they said: "We would rather have Houston's shadow 
for President than any other man in Texas." And, there- 
fore, Dr. Anson Jones, Houston's great Secretary of State, 
and who had conducted the internal affairs with such great 
skill, was elected the fourth and last President of the Republic 
of Texas. Dr. Jones was born in Barrington, Mass., in 1788. 
He was finely educated, and took a high stand as a physician, 
but was greatly inclined to political life. He was no speaker, 
and his manner not attractive, but the routine of office he did 
well. But the grand subject of his administration was the 
annexation of Texas to the United States. When this grand 



856 The Life and Writings of 

object was achieved he retired to private life, was ignored in 
political life and spent his last days in sad disappointment. 
He was not like Houston, "a born leader." He was so 
mortified at being called "Houston's shadow" that he be- 
came bitter against his old friend. And Gen. Houston's 
terrible sarcasm increased greatly his gloom and despond- 
ency; and on one occasion he sent an apology by Col. Wash 
Crawford to General Houston for some bitter things he had 
said against him, and asked that their friendship be renewed. 
Gen. Houston replied: "Tell Dr. Jones that I accept his 
apology and forgive him, but I have no time to galvanize dead 
dogs." Thus the pure and devoted old Texan passed his last 
days in gloom and sadness and cruel neglect. On one occa- 
sion he was visiting the city of Houston on business and stop- 
ped at the old "Capitol Hotel." He was very gloomy and de- 
spondent, and said to a friend : "Twenty years ago I com- 
menced my political career as a Texas Senator in this house, 
and here I would be glad to close my useless life." He retired 
to his room, and soon the loud report of a pistol was heard, and 
Dr. Jones was found bleeding and dying on the floor. This 
sad death is a warning against two evils; first, giving way to 
despondency and gloom, and, secondly, the treating of old 
public servants with neglect. But though men die, their 
works live, and Texas flourishes with ever increasing splendor, 
and will shine on 'till the stars grow dim. 



TEXAS AXXEXATIOK 

I have been asked by several students and teachers of 
Texas history to answer the following questions : 

First. Was Gen. Houston opposed to annexation? 

Second. Who were the chief actors in annexation? 

Third. When was Texas annexed ? 

To the first question I answer emphatically no. I make 
this statement on the repeated declaration of Gen. Houston to 
me. I may state, to illustrate some points on Texas history, 
that my relations with Gen. Houston were exceedingly inti- 
mate. He was converted under my preaching, and I buried 



De. Kufus C. Buelesox. 857 

him in holy baptism in 1854. I was his spiritual and he was 
my political adviser in all things. I ever regarded him as the 
God-sent and God-directed Moses to lead the Texans ont of 
the wilderness into liberty, prosperity and greatness. We 
were both ardent admirers of Gen. Jackson. I fully sympa- 
thized with Gen. Houston in his far-seeing policy, proposed 
in 185 6, for limiting foreign immigration and preventing for- 
eign control in the affairs of this republic. I ardently sym- 
pathized with him in his devotion to the American Union, and 
his dread of secession and all the woes that it would bring upon 
our beloved Southland, and in our many long and unreserved 
conversations he always declared that he was in favor of 
annexation. Yet, from his wonderful penetration, he fore- 
saw, as any great statesman could see, the coming woes 
of the Civil War, precipitated by the abolition fanatics 
of the !NTorth and the misguided fire-eaters of the South. But 
yet he was ever ready to unite the fate of Texas with her sis- 
ter States. Yet he saw plainly that, as Texas was surrounded 
by eight millions of infuriated Mexicans on the west and thirty 
thousand bloody savages in Texas and near her borders, and, 
besides all these, a fearful army of lawless men and a large 
number of political "Smart Alecks," who always come after 
the victory is won and claim the lion's share of the spoils. 
In view of all these perils, Gen. Houston and his compeers 
sought annexation to the United States in 1836. But this 
proposed annexation was rejected, and Texas was left to 
struggle alone against the fearful powers threatening 
her existence. After this rejection Gen. Houston and 
other Texas statesmen sought a commercial alliance with Eng- 
land and Prance on the condition that England and Erance 
would guarantee the independence of Texas against Mexico, 
and Texas on her part would furnish England and France her 
cotton, wool, rice, wheat and beef, all free of tariff, and at the 
same time admit all the manufactured goods of England and 
the silks and wines of Erance free of tariff. Such an alliance 
would have been a source of untold wealth to Texas, England 
and Erance; but would have almost ruined the manufactories 
of the ^North and the cotton and rice fields of the South. Gen. 
Houston and the great Isaac Van Zandt so skilfully presented 



858 The Life and Writings of 

these points as to arouse the cupidity of the North and South. 
And also their dread of foreign domination on this continent. 
By this means the whole North and South, with the exception 
of the abolition fanatics, became clamorous for the annexa- 
tion of Texas. The skillful management of this question by 
Gen. Houston led many to suppose that he was seeking an 
alliance with England and France and opposed to annexation 
to the United States. 

Again, Gen. Houston's faithful and fearful portrayal of 
the future bloody conflict between the North and the South 
led many to suppose that he was opposed to annexation. 

Second. Who were the chief agents of annexation? I 
unhesitatingly answer the grand leader of annexation was 
Hon. Isaac Van Zandt. While Texas Minister to England 
he gained the admiration of Sir Robert Peel and all the great 
English statesmen by his open-hearted honesty and his great 
and broad statesmanship. And when he became American 
Minister he made the same impression upon all the great 
statesmen at Washington City. An old Texan has truly 
said: "Isaac Van Zandt was the great Atlas who took the 
Lone Star Republic on his shoulders and fixed her amid the 
galaxy of stars, to shine with increasing luster forever." Presi- 
dent Anson Jones, by his strong political sense, was also an 
important factor, and deserves great praise for his efforts to 
secure annexation. Gen. Houston, though he had retired 
into private life, used his great personal influence over Gen. 
Andrew Jackson to secure annexation. And no man on 
earth had greater influence in arousing the American people 
to the importance of annexation than Gen. Jackson. As soon 
as the grand old "lion of Democracy," in his retired home at 
the "Hermitage," learned from his beloved friend and early 
protege, Gen. Houston, that either speedy annexation to the 
United States or an intimate commercial alliance with Eng- 
land and France was indispensable to Texas, the old lion 
aroused himself, shook the dew drops from his mane, and gave 
a roar so loud that it shook not only Nashville and Tennes- 
see, but aroused the Democracy from Maine to Louisiana. 
The result was, as soon as the National Democratic party met 
at Baltimore to nominate a candidate for the presidency in 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 850 

1844, ex-President Van Bur en, the almost certain nominee, 
was set aside because of his opposition to the annexation of 
Texas, and James K. Polk, of Tennessee, an apparently 
unknown man, was nominated on a platform favoring the 
immediate annexation of Texas. As soon as that grand ora- 
tor, patriot and statesman, Henry Clay, who had been nomi- 
nated by the Whig party on a platform opposing annexation, 
heard the roar of the old lion and saw the mighty moving of 
waters, he exclaimed, "Beat again." And James K. 
Polk was elected by an overwhelming majority in favor of 
annexation. It is due to the memory of the great orator and 
statesman, Henry Clay, to say that he was an ardent friend of 
Texas and Texans. 

But as he said in his gerat speech at Raleigh, North 
Carolina, "Large governments, especially large republics, are 
not the best; they become too vast and unwieldy and afford 
too great opportunity for corruption and local jealousy. The 
present territory of the United States is large enough for all 
the purposes of a grand, free and prosperous republic. Texas, 
with her vast and fertile plains, is large enough for one equally 
happy and prosperous. And let this whole continent be dot- 
ted with smaller sister republics, and not one grand, overshad- 
owing, unwieldy government, crushing out individualism and 
personal freedom." 

Another great agent in the annexation of Texas was that 
great but much misunderstood and much misrepresented 
statesman, John Tyler, known as "Eo Man's President," or 
"a President without a party." 

Mr. Tyler, though not a Whig, was put on the Whig 
ticket with W. H. Harrison to carry votes in Virginia and the 
South. And when President Harrison died, Vice-President 
Tyler became President. This grand statesman, from pure 
patriotism, and against all party alliances, saw the importance 
of annexing Texas to the United States. And in 1845, by 
special message, recommended to the Senate of the United 
States the annexation of Texas to the United States. The 
measure was introduced by John C. Calhoun, and rejected by 
a vote of 35 to 16. But after the overwhelming vote elect- 
ing James K. Polk President on the Texas platform, President 



860 



The Life a:xd Writings of 




THE GOVERNORS OF TEXAS. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 861 

Tyler again introduced the subject, and a bill was passed by 
an overwhelming majority of both houses. This bill was 
promptly signed by President Tyler and forwarded to Texas. 
And it was the joyous privilege of President Tyler, two days 
before his term of office expired, to sign a bill for the final an- 
nexation of Texas to the United States. 



SEVENTH ERA OF TEXAS HISTORY. 

We are now to trace the seventh and last era of the Lone 
Star State, from annexation in 1845 to 1901. It is safe to 
say that the colonial history of Texas, in glorious self-sacrifice 
and heroism of her men and women, eclipses any other Sate in 
the Union. Even the colonial history of grand old Virginia 
grows dim before that of the Lone Star Empire State. Oh, 
that the sons of Texas may make her a State equal to the 
grand old Father of States and Presidents. The Lone Star 
State arose in 1845 amid fearful political agitation, followed 
by the bloody, exciting scenes of the Mexican war. Annexa- 
tion and the result of the Mexican war left Texas free from 
the dark clouds of threatening invasion of 8,000,000 Mexi- 
cans and of 30,000 Indians in and near the border lines of 
Texas. This gave Texas patriots a glorious opportunity to de- 
velop her unrivaled resources of soil, climate, location and her 
social, religious and educational interests. And every Texan 
can say with conscious pride, the early Texans were as wise in 
council as they had been heroic on the battlefield. Among 
the very first acts one occurred that deserves a monument of 
glory. In counting out votes for Governor and Lieutenant- 
Governor, by a mistake the Legislature declared that Gen. ~N. 
H. Darnell was elected Lieutenant Governor over Albert C. 
Horton, and he was inaugurated and presided over the Senate 
for several days. The noble Darnell was among the first to 
discover the mistake, and with that noble integrity and hon- 
esty that should characterize every Texan he came forward, 
announced the mistake and resigned the office, and welcomed 
his honored opponent to the seat assigned him by the sover- 
eign will of the people. This act is worthy of a monument, 



862 The Life and "Writings of 

and encircles the name of Gen. K H. Darnell with .glory. 
Another remarkable fact that I am surprised to see over- 
looked in the exciting times of Grangers, Alliance and Third 
Party men is that the first two Governors were farmers, Gov. 
A. C. Horton and Gov. Geo. T. Wood. 

But at that time Tammany rings, composed of whisky 
men and other corrupt elements of ISTew York and all the 
leading cities and county seats, had not been organized to con- 
trol the legislation of the country. And farmers and other 
worthy citizens had some chance for promotion. 

Hence it is not so surprising that two worthy farmers 
were elected Governors in succession. 

It will be remembered that immediately after the elec- 
tion, Gov. J. Pinckney Henderson resigned the office of Gov- 
ernor to take command of three Texas regiments, with the 
rank of Major General, in the Mexican war. 

Gov. Henderson resigned the Governorship more readily 
because he knew that Texas would be perfectly safe in the 
hands of the grand old hero and farmer statesman, A. C. 
Horton. 

Gov. Horton was physically, mentally and morally a 
remarkable man. He was 6 feet 6 inches tall, stood erect, 
with an eagle eye and Roman nose. He was a born leader 
among men. He was a native Georgian, and, like Washing- 
ton and Marion and so many other great men, was raised by a 
widowed mother and thoroughly trained to self-reliance and 
lessons of purity. 

He settled in North Alabama, near Courtland, about 
1825. Here he married a lovely, pious, and wealthy young 
lady, and he became a member of the Baptist Church. About 
1831 he moved to Texas, and established a large sugar plan- 
tation on old Caney. On the invasion of Santa Anna, in 
1836, Gov. Horton raised a company of cavalry, and hastened 
to the aid of Col. Fannin at Goliad. He reached Goliad on 
the 16th of March, and on the next day he crossed the San 
Antonio River and attacked Gen. Urrea's cavalry, but, 
encountering a large body of infantry, fell back in good 
order. Dr. Shackleford, commander of the Huntsville 
Grays in Fannin's army says "Horton acted with great gal- 



Dk. Rufus C. Burleson. 863 

lantry and made a furious charge on the enemy and routed 
the cavalry, but when assailed by a large infantry force fell 
back in good order." 

On Fannin's retreat from Goliad Horton was sent with 
this cavalry force to repel a large body of Mexican cavalry 
near Colita. He routed the Mexicans, and chased them 
nearly to Victoria, but on returning he found Fannin and his 
heroic companions surrounded by the overwhelming forces of 
Urrea with cannon, cavalry and infantry. Finding it utterly 
impossible to cut his way through, he retreated to Victoria, 
hoping to get re-enforcements, but Dimmit, with all his troops, 
had fallen ba,ck to Colorado. After the battle of San Jacinto 
Horton returned to his farm, but devoted his great talent and 
wealth to building up the social, educational and political 
interests of Texas. He donated largely to the Methodist Col- 
lege at Rutersville. He was one of the early trustees of Bay- 
lor University, and donated at one time $5,000. 

With all these historic and personal qualifications, he 
was admirably fitted to guide the ship of State as she launched 
forth on her new era as a State in stead of an independent 
republic. 

The arduous duties of the Governor and Legislature were, 
first, to divide the State into eight judicial districts and elect 
eight Judges. Second, to provide for a Supreme Court, with 
three Judges, all to hold their office six years. Third, divide 
the State into two congressional districts, with the Trinity 
River as the dividing line. 

Another great and complicated difficulty was to regu- 
late and adjust the land titles that had been issued, 24,331,764 
acres of which were fraudulent, many of which had passed 
into the hands of innocent purchasers. 

And no less important than all these was to adjust an 
equitable system of taxes, so as to defray current expenses, 
and provide to liquidate the enormous debt of $12,100,000 
entailed on the young State by the Republic of Texas. 

After grappling wisely and heroically with these ques- 
tions for two years, his full term of office, Gov. Horton retired 
to the more congenial duties of his home and farm. 



804 



The Life and Writings of 




THE GOVERNORS OF TEXAS. 






Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 865 

And Gov. George T. Wood was elected and inaugurated 
on the 21st of December, 1847. 

He was also a farmer Governor and a native Georgian, 
and a man of great wealth, massive brain and vast common 
sense. In his first message to the Legislature Gov. Wood 
said: 

a The debt of Texas must be paid. The honor of the 
State must stand without a blemish. We can never expect to 
attain a high and permanent prosperity until it is done. And 
the consummation of a purpose so noble calls for united and 
energetic action." 

On the 20th of March, 1 848, a law was passed that all 
claims against the late republic be presented by the 1st of 
November, 1849. And that the Comptroller of Public Ac- 
counts classify all accounts so presented and reduce them to the 
actual par value which had been realized by the late republic. 

On the recommendation of Gov. Wood, a law was passed 
that all the creditors be paid off in Texas land at fifty cents an 
acre. But few of the creditors were willing to accept wild 
lands in payment of their claims, and Texas was left staggering 
under a revolutionary debt of $12,436,991. Only $4,500,000 
had ever been actually loaned to the Republic of Texas, as Mr. 
Pearce declared m the United States Congress. 

At this critical juncture a fierce controversy arose be- 
tween Texas and the United States about the real boundary 
of Texas. 

Texans always claimed the Rio Grande river, including 
Santa Fe, was the boundary line of Texas. But Texas had 
made no effort to extend her claim over that territory, except 
the disastrous Santa Pe expedition under Gen. Hugh 
McLeod, during Lamar's administration. And as Gen. 
Kearney with the United States army captured Santa Pe and 
New Mexico, in 1846 in the actual possession, and as Mexico 
by the treaty of Gaudaloupe Hidalgo, had sold 
that territory to the United States, along with California, for 
$15,000,000, the United States felt they had an undoubted 
right to the disputed territory, all east of the Rio Grande, and 
ordered Col. Monroe to take charge of it as a territory of the 
United States; while the legislature of Texas sent .Judge 

55 




866 The Life and Writings of 

Beard into the same territory to organize it into a judicial 
district of Texas. 

Col. Monroe informed Judge Beard that he was an in- 
truder, and Gov. Wood asked the legislature to order out the 
whole militia force of the United States to enforce the claim 
of Texas. And Texas declared if a congressman from New 
Mexico entered the United States congress the Texas senators 
and representatives would retire. 

Gen. Taylor ordered the army of the United States to 
aid Col. Monroe. 

Mr. Phet and other South Carolinians declared the first 
gun fired to coerce Texas would be a signal for the whole 
South to rush to her defense. 

The North was indignant to think that while Texas was 
already 260 times larger than Rhode Island, thirty-five times 
larger than Massachusetts and six times larger than either 
Pennsylvania or New York, and larger than Maine, New 
Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connec- 
ticut, Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, West Virginia, Dela- 
ware and Maryland all combined, should- still want 121,000 
square miles more, and the nation seemed about to be plunged 
into that bloody sectional war that began in 1861. 

But fortunately at that time our nation was blessed with 
that greatest of national blessings, great and good political 
leaders, such as Clay, Benton and Pierce. These united with 
Houston and Rusk and other great Texans effected a compro- 
mise. 

Texas agreed to accept $10,000,000, which finally in- 
creased to $12,500,000, for the disputed territory. 

This not only restored peace and harmony to the nation, 
but enabled Texas to pay off her entire debt and reserve $2,- 
500,000 for her public school fund. Thus Texas stood at 
the close of Bell's administration, free from debt and all 
border troubles, and fully prepared to enter upon her glorious 
era of railroads, public school, etc., preparatory to becoming 
the empire state of the world. 



Dr. Ruftts C. Burleson. 867 

HON". J. PIKOTE Y HENDERSON, FIRST GOVERNOR 

OF TEXAS. 

Gov. Henderson was a man of whom the State of Texas 
will ever be proud and thankful to God for such a grand foun- 
dation builder. He was born in North Carolina, March 31st, 
1808, and died at "Wilmington, N. C, June 1st, 1858. The 
wisdom and conservatism of our Texas Fathers were clearly 
seen in the election of Jas. Pinkney Henderson as Governor, 
and Albert C. Horton as Lieut. Governor. There was a slight 
but growing spirit of sectional jealousy between East Texas 
and West Texas. And Gov. Henderson was from San Au- 
gustine, the heart of East Texas, and Lieut. Gov. Horton was 
from the county of Wharton, the heart of the great and grow 
ing West, as then populated. Gov. Henderson was a finished 
scholar and profound lawyer. He had removed from North 
Carolina to Mississippi and was doing a very lucrative law 
practice. But when the Texas cry came for help to repel the 
dark and bloody tyrants of Mexico he raised a company of gal- 
lant young Mississippians and rushed to the defense of liberty. 
They, however, reached Yelasco June 13th, 1836, after the 
grand battle of San Jacinto had won the Independence of 
Texas. But the arrival of Col. Henderson and his gallant Mis- 
sissippians and many other recruits pouring in about the same 
time told Mexico in thunder tones that she could never subju- 
gate Texas. Houston, with his profound judgment of men 
perceived at once the noble qualities of young Henderson, and 
first gave him the appointment of Attorney General. And 
at a subsequent period he nominated him for Secretary of 
State. He discharged these great duties in the formative 
state of the young Republic to the eminent satisfaction of all. 
He was then Minister to England and France to secure the 
recognition of Texas as a Republic. After this grand work 
was accomplished he returned to San Augustine and was en- 
gaged in a lucrative practice with the great Thomas J. Rusk 
and K. L. Anderson. But the great crisis of annexation made 
it necessary for him to become a minister to the United States, 
and ' dispel some fearful prejudices against Texas. 
Co-operating with such grand statesmen as Houston, Rusk 



868 The Life and Writings of 

and others, these prejudices were swept away and Texas was 
annexed and the Lone Star Kepublic was merged into the 
Lone Star State of Texas. As a just tribute to his great 
ability and eminent services in such great and responsible 
offices as he had filled, he was elected the first Governor of 
Texas in 1845. All the great men of Texas felt profoundly 
that it required a great statesman and diplomatist to merge a 
Kepublic, with all her interest and officers and treaty alliances 
with other nations, into a State, to be only one in a grand 
sisterhood of states. And all believed James Pinkney Hen- 
derson was the man, and how fully their expectations were 
realized all history demonstrates. 

The inauguration of Gov. Henderson was a remarkable 
era in another point. The Lone Star Republic of Texas on 
that day placed her honors, her wealth and glory at the feet 
of the Lone Star State, and was to shine no longer as the Lone 
Star, but henceforth was to blend her resplendent rays with 
with a glorious galaxy of sister stars to spread their light 
around the globe and enlighten the benighted nations of the 
earth. 

On the day fixed for blending the light of the Lone Star 
Republic with the light of her sister stars, President Anson 
Jones, Gen. Edward Burleson, and the other cabinet officers 
of the Lone Star Republic, with Gov. Henderson accompan- 
ied by Lieut. Gov. Horton and the venerable Chaplain R. E. 
B. Baylor, entered the congressional halls amid the vast con- 
course assembled there. The officials were seated on a magni- 
ficent rostrum, and after an earnest and touching prayer by 
the eminent judge and divine, R. E. B. Baylor, President 
Jones delivered his farewell address, which thrilled the hearts 
of all that vast assembly. 

The final act of the great drama is now performed — the 
Republic of Texas is no more. Gov. Henderson then arose, 
amid thundering acclamations and spoke as follows: 

"This day and within this very hour has been consum- 
mated the great work of annexation. This consummation 
should be a full compensation to our citizens for all their toil 
and suffering endured for ten long years. Our hearts should 
be full of gratitude to the Giver of all good for the many 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 860 

favors lie has bestowed upon us at all times and under all cir- 
cumstances. In the frsgiuning of the Revolution, when the 
frowns of the world were upon us, His protecting arm shielded 
us from danger, and now at its close, when we have happily 
completed our labors and attracted the attention of the prin- 
cipal nations of the earth, He is still with us. Who can look 
back upon our history and not be fully and deeply impressed 
with the consideration that the arm of deity has shielded our 
nation, and His justice and wisdom guided us in our path. 
It is with deep sense of the responsibility which I have in- 
curred that I now enter upon the duties of the station which 
my fellow citizens have called me to fill." 

Gov. Henderson and Lieut. Gov. Horton then in the 
midst of that grand assembly took the oath of office and the 
remainder of the day was spent in joyful congratulations and 
expressions of undying love for Texas. The government of' 
the State of Texas was fully inaugurated and Gen Sam Hous- 
ton and Gen. Thomas J. Rusk were elected United States 
Senators, John Hemphill, Abner S. Lipscomb and Royal T. 
Wheeler formed the Supreme Court. The officers of Gov. 
Henderson were David G. Burnet, Secretary of State; John 
W. Harris, Attorney General; James B. Shaw, Comptroller; 
James H. Raymond, Treasurer; Thomas W. Ward, Com- 
missioner of the General Land Office, and W. G. Cooke, Ad- 
jutant General. !No grander galaxy of statesmen ever gath- 
ered around any Governor than now surrounded James Pink- 
ney Henderson. And they all went to work with a burning 
and wisest State between the oceans. 



GOV. GEO. TYLER WOOD. 

The second Governor of Texas was elected November 
21st, and inaugurated December 21st, 1847. He was born 
in Georgia in 1816, and came to Texas in 1836. He was a 
tall, commanding and vigorous personage. Before coming to 
Texas he married an elegant widow, Mrs. M. Gindratt. They 
bought a farm on the Trinity River near where the village 
of Point Blank now stands. Yerv soon he was elected 



870 The Life and Writings of 

to the Texas Congress. As soon as it was announced in 1846 
that Mexico had resolved, in her supreme folly, to recapture 
Texas and force the Lone Star Republic to submit to Mexican 
misrule, Col. Wood was one of the first to raise a regiment 
and march to the Rio Grande and join the grand old hero, 
Gen. Zachary Taylor. His regiment was composed of such 
heroic men as Col. Wm. R. Scurry, O. M. Wheeler and T. 
Epperson. Col. Wood and his regiment did heroic service in 
storming Monterey and routing the Mexican forces at Buena 
Vista and Cerro Gordo, and in waving the stars and stripes 
over the prostrate capital of the Republic of Mexico. Mexico 
was forced to pay to the United States her expenses of the 
war, and as she was bankrupt, she had to sell California and all 
of her territory to the Pacific ocean to the United States. 
Col. Wood retired to his lovely home, and hoped to spend the 
remainder of his life in quietness, but the people of Texas 
felt his clear mind and broad soul were greatly needed in lay- 
ing deep and broad foundation stones of our Empire State. 
Seven days after Gen. Wood's inauguration, he said 
in a special message to the Legislature, "the Texas debt must 
be paid, the honor of the state must stand without a blemish: 
We can never expect to attain a high and permanent prosperity 
until it is done. And the consummation of a purpose so 
noble calls for united and energetic action." On the 28th of 
March, 1848, a law was passed which required all persons hav- 
ing claims against the late Republic of Texas to present them 
to the Comptroller. Gov. Wood recommended that Texas 
creditors be paid in land at 50 cents an acre, but very few 
creditors chose to take the land. And Gov. Wood had to 
leave the grand work he had begun, to be consummated by 
his successor as Texas was penniless. 

The second great object claiming his attention was the 
settlement of the boundary between Texas and the United 
States, including a territory of 98,000 acres lying east of the 
Rio Grande, and north of the Red River. Every well in- 
formed Texan or Mexican knew this territory was a part of 
Texas, yet it was settled sparsely by Mexicans, and separated 
by a vast territory inhabited by wild Indians. After the un- 
fortunate failure made by Gen. Lamar, Texas made no farther 
effort to extend her official authority over this territory. And 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 871 

certain traders and speculators, and especially the abolition 
fanatics who were jealous of the area and increasing greatness 
of Texas, were artfully seeking to wrest this territory from 
Texas. And an officer of the United States, G-en. Kearney, 
had taken possession of the territory of Santa Fe, New Mex- 
ico, in the name of the United States. In 1848 on the recom- 
mendation of Gov. Wood, a bill was passed extending the 
laws of Texas over that portion of Santa Fe and Mexico, east 
of the Rio Grande River, and Judge Beard was sent there to 
hold district court. Col. Monroe, of the United States army, 
paid no attention to the Texas judge, and proceeded to order 
an election for a territorial delegate to the United States con- 
gress. Gov. Wood requested the Legislature to put the whole 
military force of the state under his control, that he might 
enforce the just claim of Texas. In the heat of the contro- 
versy some hot bloods contended that if the delegate of ]STew 
Mexico was admitted to his seat in congress, the Texas dele- 
gates should withdraw and Texas resume her separate nation- 
ality. Many felt that civil war was certain, but by the wis- 
dom of such God-sent statesmen as Sam Houston, Thos. J. 
Rusk, Henry Clay, Thos. H. Benton and Frank Pierce, the 
whole question was amicably settled to the great joy of every 
true patriot. The United States agreed to pay Texas $10,- 
000,000 for 98,000 square miles of territory disputed lying 
north of the Red river, and east of the Rio Grande. Thi3 
paid the last cent that Texas owed and left in her treasury 
over $2,000,000 for free schools, and over two million for 
improvements. Thus Gov. Wood rejoiced to see his plan inau- 
gurated for settling the debts of Texas, and also for settling 
the boundary question joyfully consummated by his worthy 
successor, Gov. P. H. Bell. 

The next great object near Gov. Wood's heart was to see 
inaugurated a grand system of railroads. He and every intel- 
ligent Texan knew that without railroads Texas could never 
become anything but a great cow pen and sheep ranch. But 
if giardled with railroads, would become the grandest state 
between the oceans. But it was found that it was impracti- 
cable to commence a grand system of railroads until the state 
was more fully developed. 



872 



The Life and Writings of 




Texas Capitol Building in 1836. Texas Capitol at Austin. 

Texas Capitol at Houston. 






: 



#fP? 





THE PRESENT STATE CAPITOL. 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 873 

Gov. Wood having nobly and honorably served Texas a3 
a soldier and governor for twenty-two years, retired to his 
beautiful farm at Point Blank in San Jacinto county, where 
he lived happy and honored until 1858, when he quietly 
passed over the river to his eternal home. 



GOVERNOR E. M. PEASE. 

Elisha Marshall Pease forms an important link in Texas 
History. Indeed for real services rendered he stands next to 
Stephen E. Austin, Sam Houston and Thos. J. Rusk. 

He is a living monument of what a man without bril- 
liancy or fascinating manner, but with profound common 
sense, honesty and ISTew England pluck and push can do. 

He was born in 1812 and reared by honest, industrious 
old Puritan parents near Hartford, Conn. When twenty- 
three years old he came to Texas and settled at Mina, now 
Bastrop. 

In September of that same year when Gen. Cos, carrying 
out Santa Anna's law for disarming Texas, sent Castan- 
ado to Gonzales to seize the cannon given the citizens for their 
protection against the Indians, the citizens called on all 
patriots for aid in repelling the tyrant. 

Young Pease shouldered his musket and under Gen. Ed. 
Burleson marched to Gonzales, joined Col. John H. Moore 
and drove back the Mexicans into San Antonio. 

He remained with the Texas army till Gen. Cos and his 
army of 1400 soldiers in the barricaded city of San Antonio, 
surrendered after a five weeks' siege to Gen. Burleson with 
600 half-fed and poorly armed Texans. 

Young Pease then repaired to San Eelipe and became as- 
sistant secretary to the Consultation Convention. 

He was also secretary to the convention that declared the 
independence of Texas, at Washington, March 2, 1832. 

In 1837 he was Comptroller under Gen. Houston. In 
this position Gen. Houston saw his eminent talent as a lawyer 
and as an executive officer. 



874 The Life and "Writings of 

In 1833 he located at Brazoria, then the wealthiest and 
most refined part of Texas. For years he did a large and 
lucrative law practice. 

In 1845 he was elected to the legislature in connection 
with annexation. 

In 1847 he was re-elected to the legislature and then to 
the state senate for four years. In his legislative career of 
eight years he gained great reputation as a wise and efficient 
lawmaker. 

He was the author of many of the elementary laws en- 
acted after annexation. 

In 1853, when Houston and Rusk and their noble com- 
peers saw the time had come for Texas to establish a grand 
system of railroads they felt they needed a leader in this grand 
struggle, for the greatness and glory of Texas. 

For as Texas had no navigable rivers, without great im- 
provement nor inland bays or seas a grand system of railroads 
was essential to develop her grand resources. And yet Texans 
had violent prejudices against railroads and banks. For in 1837 
a company of swindlers came to Texas and got a grand charter 
called the "Railroad, Banking & Navigation Company." This 
grand company (on paper) after swindling the Texans out 
of about $50,000 skipped or evaporated. This great fraud 
fired the Texans with a burning prejudice against banks and 
railroads. So much so that a clause was inserted in the con- 
stitution forbidding the legislature from chartering a bank. 

The prejudice against railroads was equally fierce. The 
-city of Houston was the great anti-railroad center. And the 
old Houston Telegraph, edited by Thos. S. Moore, was then 
to Texas what the Galveston-Dallas News is today. Dr. 
Moore was a man 'of great learning and great skill in collect- 
ing and publishing news. But he was essentially a crank. 
He induced the people to believe that whenever a railroad 
went out of Houston the terminus would become the great 
city and Houston would dry up. Hence her noble merchants, 
lawyers, doctors and others fought railroads with the energy 
of blind giants. They, under the leadership of Dr. Moore 
spent $67,000 in building an "Adobe Road," by throwing up 
or grading the prairie to McCurley's Point. This honest 



De. Rufus C. Bueleson. 875 

and learned crank told them that this road when packed down 
by the farmers would become like the "Adobe Brick" of Mex- 
ico and become equal to a macadamized road. But in spite of 
all the wealth, learning and prejudice against railroads, Hous- 
ton, Eusk and their compeers saw that Texas must be linked 
together by a grand system of railroads. And they decided 
that E. M. Pease was the man that could lead and guide in this 
grand enterprise. 

Houston had seen the profound sagacity and statesman- 
ship of Pease displayed when he was comptroller years before. 
Gen. Husk and others had also tested him on other important 
occasions. He was therefore selected to lead Texas in her 
grand future development and glory. 

Pease was elected and fulfilled the expectations of the 
patriots of Texas. Under his governorship a grand system 
of railroads was planned. And also a broad foundation of 
$200,000 was laid for free schools. As Texas was sparsely 
settled, freight and travel would not pay capitalists to build 
railroads, hence a large state bonus was necessary. 

And as Texas had no money sufficient for this grand pur- 
pose she agreed to borrow and loan her chartered railroads 
and give them sixteen sections of land for every mile of road 
built. Provided the railroad would reserve and survey 
•every alternate section for a great permanent public free 
school fund. 

The profound wisdom of this plan, not only made Texas 
the greatest railroad state in the Union but the possessor of the 
greatest free school system in the world. , 

The merchant princes and citizens of Houston seeing 
their mistake abandoned their Adobe Road or rather used it 
as a foundation for the Houston & Texas Central railroad and 
soon became the grand railroad center and the pride of every 
Texan. 

But the grand statesmanship of Gov. Pease was not con- 
fined to a grand system of railroads and education but to 
everything pertaining to the prosperity and glory of Texas. 

In his first message he urged the great importance not 
only of free schools and a great State University but the im- 
portance of providing immediately asylums for the support 



876 The Life and Writings of 

and education of the blind, deaf and dumb, and also an asy- 
lum for lunatics. All of which noble, christian asylums — 
except orphans — went into operation during his governorship. 

Every Texan should be proud of Gov. Pease's four years 
administration. But one of the noblest acts of Gov. Pease's 
life occurred when Texas was prostrated under military rule 
and Gov. Throckmorton had been removed by the military au- 
thorities because he would not persecute Texas secessionists. 
Gov. Pease was made military governor as it was known in the 
early days of secession that some of the hot heads had pro- 
posed to hang him and other leaders if they did not support 
secession and the confederacy. 

It was hoped that Gov. Pease would be a suitable man to 
retaliate. I was in Austin at that critical moment and some 
of my dear friends who were among the violent secessionists 
came to me and said: "In the early days of secession we 
wanted to hang E. M. Pease and some other men, but you and 
others with tears begged us not to commit such a bloody deed 
on Texas soil; now you see he is made military governor of 
Texas and it is understood that he is going to wreak vengance 
on us, and you ought to intercede." I assured them that Gov. 
Pease was too grand a patriot to seek to get revenge in his 
official capacity for private injuries done him. And when I 
approached him with God-like nobility he said, "Tell your 
friends all is well. I would blush to use my office to punish 
wrongs done me individually. Tell them that I want every 
Texan to forget the bloody past and unite all our energies to 
make Texas the grandest state in the Union." 

Gov. Pease married in 1850 Miss L. C. Mies, Windsor, 
Conn., who has been a heroic partner with him in all the 
duties of life. They have two daughters and a lovely home 
at Woodlawn, adjoining the city of Austin. 



GEE". EDWAKD BUKLESOK 

Gen. Burleson was born in North Carolina in 179 8. 
Very early in life he was fully trained in his great life-work 
of protecting the women and children of Texas against 8,- 



De. Rufus C. Bueleson. 



877 



000,000 Mexicans and 30,000 blood-thirsty Indians. When a 
little boy be started with bis father and grand-father to join 
their old friend, Daniel Boone, in Kentucky, then known as 
the dark and bloody bunting ground. 

His grand-father was murdered by the Indians in cross- 
ing Clinch Biver, in Tennessee. And his Uncle Aaron was 
killed at Campbell Station, and his beloved Aunt Abbey Bur- 
leson McEadden was shot, tomahawked and scalped at Stone 
River Fort, near where Nashville now stands. 

All these things burned into the soul of little Ed., and 




GEN. ED. BURLESON. 

especially into his father's heart an undying hatred for the 
Indians. 

His father often said, "There are no good Indians, but 
dead ones, and I have a burning missionary zeal to make as 
many good ones as possible. The first Indian little Ed ever 
killed was just before the beginning of the terrible Creek 
war. "When the whole Indian race in the Mississippi valley 
had been aroused by Tecumseh for the utter destruction of the 
whites. Some Indians had raided on the white settlements on 
the Tennessee river in North Alabama, and murdered and 
scalped three whole families. Gen. Coffee ordered Jonathan 



878 



The Life and Writings of 



Burleson (father of Dr. Ruf us C. Burleson) the commander 
of the "Minute Men" to take one hundred picked soldiers and 
chastise fully the inhuman murderers of women and children. 
Capt. Burleson rallied his men, and went in hot pursuit. Little 
Ed rode on his "war pony" and carried a holster of horsemen 
pistols tied on the horn of his saddle. The bloody fiends find- 
ing that they would be overtaken, devised a plan to entrap 
and murder their pursuers. They concealed all the captured 
goods and scalps of the murdered men and women in the 
thicket and hid their guns and tomahawks behind logs and 
in the grass. And placed a full supply of brandy on the logs 
and stumps in front. But they were all busy cooking dinner 
and playing ball. Their trick was, that when the captain of 
the "Minute Men" came up for the chief to go out and ask 
the captain of the "Minute Men" to get down and eat and 
drink with them. And while so doing he was to plunge his 
butcher knife in the heart of the captain, which would be 
the signal for all to seize their guns and murder the whole 
company. When the whites road up the old chief came out,, 
with his butcher knife concealed under his hunting shirt, hold- 
ing out a bottle of whisky called out : "Bobysheely, Bobyshee- 
ly," (good friends, good friends) and asked them to get down 
and eat and drink with them. But the captain to the surprise 
of the Indians formed his men in line of battle, and when he 
alighted from his horse, and reached out his hand to greet the 
Indian, the old chief jerked out his butcher knife and plunged 
it at the heart of the captain. But the captain with wonderful 
activity sprang to one side, which placed the Indian between 
him and his men, and they could not shoot the Indian with- 
out endangering the life of their captain. But quick as light- 
ning, Little Ed seizing his pistol, spurred his pony and rush- 
ing up shot the Indian chief dead. 

The captain then cried out, "Charge, fire, kill the last 
one of them." And the order was quickly obeyed. After the 
battle the father of little Ed, standing by the dead chief and 
laying his hand on his son's head said, "My noble boy, I am 
proud of you, and now let it be the business of your life to kill 
these red devils, who have not only killed your grandfather 
and uncle, but shot, tomahawked and scalped your Aunt 
Abbey, and have stained this continent with blood." Very 



De. Rutus C. Burleson. 879 

soon after this Gen. Jackson called for volunteers to aid in 
driving the bloody Creeks from their strong and almost im- 
pregnable fortifications, the "Horse Shoe Bend," on the Talla- 
poosa River in Alabama. 

Here all historians make a mistake, they say that little 
Ed's father was a captain, and as he could neither read or write, 
he took his bright little son along to keep his muster rolls. His 
father never was a captain, but was one of Gen. Jackson's 
commissaries and took little Ed along as his clerk. Gen. 
Jackson had had a fearful conflict with his commissary officers 
for their speculating in army supplies and thereby reduced 
the soldiers to great want and forced him after the glorious 
victory at Emucfaw to fall back to Huntsville and allow the 
Indians to make their terrible fortification at the "Horse Shoe 
Bend," the Thermopylae of America, Gen. Jackson dismissed 
his commissary and calling Major William Russell, said : "I 
want to make you a commissary, for I believe that you are the 
only man living honest enough to be a commissary, and if you 
go to speculating on army stores I will hang you to the first 
scaly bark hickory that I find." Mr. Russell replied : "I am 
ready to do anything that you request, but I have two cousins 
here, James and Joseph Burleson, and they are more honest 
than I am, since I have been drinking champagne at your 
headquarters, and they know all about rushing up beeves and 
army supplies, and if you catch them in speculation on provi- 
sions for the soldiers you may hang us all three to the first 
hickory you find." 

The cousins were appointed as commissaries, but little 
Ed's father said : "General, I will gladly rush up the beef 
that you need, but I want to get me at least six Indians at the 
battle of Horse Shoe and I do not want to hide behind com- 
missary stores." Gen. Jackson replied, "It would never do for 
a commissary to go into battle, if he should get killed the sol- 
diers would starve." But he replied, "Oh, General, God 
never made me to be killed by Indians." Jackson greatly ad- 
miring his pluck, told him he must keep out of the battle; 
but when Gen. Jackson attacked the strong fortifications on 
the east side of the river, Capt. Jim Burleson, Little Ed and 
the whole commissary force on canoes and logs lashed to- 



880 The Life and "Writings of 

gether crossed over the river into the Horse Shoe Bend. And 
as soon as Gen. Jackson, Sam Houston and Levi Taylor (who 
recently died at Smithville) charged the Indians in front, the 
commissary force commenced shooting the Indians in the back 
and made fearful slaughter and panic among the Indians. 
After the battle was over the commissary said : "Oh, General, 
I got me a dozen Indians, but the only thing I feel mean about 
was that I had to shoot them in the back, and the fools were 
so scared that they could not tell where we were." Gen. 
Jackson said : "You old sinner, did you go into the battle V 
He replied : "Why, General, I could not stay out, I would 
have died if I had not seized that chance to kill these red 
devils." Jackson replied : "But a good soldier should always 
obey orders, but as the war is over I will not court-martial 
yo\ L" And laying his hands on the head of little Ed he said : 
"Oh, that you may be worthy of your father, and aid in sweep- 
ing these murderers of women and children from American 
soil." And let it never be forgotten that Little Ed was the 
commissary clerk of his father when he studied profoundly 
the arts of war under Gen. Jackson. Soon after the war Little 
Ed returned with his father to North Alabama where the 
Burlesons got into a bloody conflict with the Indians on their 
territory and were ordered to leave. Little Ed went with his 
father to Missouri, and not to Virginia, as so many historians 
say. In 1826 he and his father came to Texas and settled on 
the Colorado river below Bastrop. Seven years later seven- 
teen other Burleson families removed from Alabama. They 
brought with them, their pastor, deacons and whole 
church including thirty-two members. And the Bur- 
lesons have been coming to Texas ever since. Gen. Burleson 
now entered upon his grand life work of protecting Texas from 
Mexicans and Indians. Eor twenty-five years the women and 
children could never sleep soundly, unless Gen. Burleson was 
between them and the Indians. Our space does not allow us to 
given even the names of all of his battles and the many great 
duties he performed for Texas, as a citizen, a soldier and as a 
statesman. He bore a conspicuous part in capturing Cos and 
his whole army in San Antonio; and at the battle of San 
Jacinto. In 1839 when Gen. Flores and Cordova were form- 
ing an alliance with the Indian chief, Bowles, and 30,000 In- 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 881 

dians to deluge Texas in blood and ruin, Gen. Burleson de- 
tected their conspiracy and killed Bowles on the Neches, and 
Flores and Cordova in Western Texas. He was a leader in 
thirty-two battles, two horses were killed under him, his 
saddle was riddled with bullets many times, and yet as by a 
miracle of mercy he was unhurt. His last interview with Dr. 
Burleson when on his death bed, will forcibly illustrate his 
grand character. After referring briefly and tenderly to his 
life he said: "Cousin Rufus, my life has been a rude and 
rough one, I have been a man of blood from my youth. The 
first Indian I ever killed was to save your father's life when 
I was 14 years old, but my Heavenly Father in whose presence 
I shall soon appear will bear me witness, I never shed human 
blood for fame, for money or for revenge, but to protect 
women and children and my country against Indians and '. Lex- 
icans. For twenty-five years, I have been fighting Mexicans 
and Indians for the glory of Texas, and now I want you to 
give me your hand as a pledge that you will fight sin and 
ignorance for twenty-five years and we will thus make a 
family fight of half a hundred years, for the glory of Texas." 



RAILROADS. 

THEIR ORIGIN AND EXTENT. 

In this article we propose to give a brief account of the 
origin and early struggles for railroads. Two things made it 
a self-evident fact that Texas must have railroads. 

First. — She in all her vast territory had no navigable 
rivers, inland bays or seas that could transport her commerce 
over her vast territory. Probably, Texas in proportion to her 
size has fewer navigable streams or inland bays than any set- 
tled portion of the world. 

Second. — No part of the globe is better adapted for the 
cheap construction of railroads than Texas. Over vast por- 
tions of her territory, the country is so level that the grading 
amounts to nothing compared with the Allegheny and Rocky 

56 



882 The Life and "Writings of 

and Cumberland mountains where great mountains have to 
be leveled down or tunneled through. These two great points 
suggested to the grand men, God-sent foundation builders 
and path-finders of Texas, the importance of railroads. A 
company of men seeing this universal desire, came in 1837 
and obtained a charter for the "Railroad, Banking and Navi- 
gation Co." This company proved to be a grand failure and 
fraud and cheated many Texans out of their hard earned and 
limited means. This created such a prejudice that the early 
constitution of Texas forbade the legislature chartering banks 
or private corporations for issuing paper money, and a cele- 
brated commercial house in Galveston was fined $83,000 for 
violating this law. Every profound thinker knew that 
Texas could never be anything but a great sheep pen and cow 
ranch without railroads. Hence in 1851-1852 the question of 
railroads became the great issue in the election for governor. 
Elisha M. Pease was the railroad candidate, and J. "W. Hend- 
erson of Houston became the anti-railroad candidate. Pre- 
ceding the nomination for governor, there had been a grand 
railroad meeting held in Austin attended by Sam Houston, T. 
J. Rusk, E. M. Pease and many of the greatest statesmen of 
Texas. They formulated an outline for the campaign and 
issued a circular arousing the people of Texas to their real in- 
terests. But while it is true that many great statesmen and 
profound thinkers were in favor of railroads, there were many 
great and good men in Texas who believed that railroads 
would be another grand swindle, and, it is remarkable that the 
greatest city in the State and the most widely circulated jour- 
nal in the State, to-wit, the city of Houston and the Houston 
Telegraph, were bitterly opposed to railroads. The Houston 
Telegraph was really the first paper ever permanently es- 
tablished in Texas, by Gail Borden and Mosely Baker and then 
under the editorship of Dr. Francis L. Moore, had a circula- 
tion equal if not superior to any other five papers in the State. 
In the great railroad convention at Austin or in the com- 
mittee for conducting the campaign, it was decided as of the 
greatest importance to have some man who could spike that 
great anti-railroad gun and who if possible could gain a hear- 
ing from the noble merchants of Houston and convince them 
of their mistake in opposing railroads. After canvassing for 



Dr. Bufus C. Burleson. 883 

some time Gen. Houston suggested that I was the man; that 
Houston had been my first home in Texas, and that I was ard- 
ently attached to the city and her people and that I was an 
enthusiastic advocate of railroads, and that while I was a 
preacher and president of Baylor University, I believed that 
every Christian owed a high and great duty to his country. 
On his return from Austin, he visited me and bore the re- 
quest of the committee. I said : "General Houston this will be 
an arduous duty. Dr. Moore is one of the readiest writers in 
Texas and but for one defect, he would be a great and pro- 
found thinker. But, as you have said to the committee I be- 
lieve every Christion should be a devoted patriot and that next 
to God should love his country, and be ready ever to say as 
David did "If I forget thee, Oh Jerusalem, let my right hand 
forget her cunning, and if I prefer not thee to my chief joy, 
let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth." Dr. Moore's 
remarkable defect was what the mental philosophers term a 
want of application or combination. He professed rare pow- 
ers of analysis and generalization but w T as utterly void of all 
true power of combination or application. Indeed, until I 
met him, I doubted what Dugald Stewart, Dr. Wayland 
and other great philosophers said, that it was possible for a man 
to be a great analyzer and a great generalizer and yet have no 
power of appropriate combination or application. And with 
rare powers of analysis and generalization, he had made the 
people of Houston believe that whenever a railroad went out 
of Houston, the terminus of that road would absorb all the 
trade and kill Houston. He said the wagon trade was the 
salvation of Houston. And to overcome the almost unsur- 
mountable obstacle of reaching Houston through the flat black 
prairies where it has been said "a saddle blanket will almost 
bog," he proposed to build an adobe road from Houston to 
McCurley's Point the first high sand ridge above Houston. He 
demonstrated by very learned philosophic reasoning that the 
peculiar nature of the soil of the black "hog wallow" prairie 
with its amount of lime was such that if thrown up and packed 
down in summer, it would become like the adobe bricks of the 
Montezumas and would be equal to a Macadamized road. 
And, he assured the people of Houston if they would grade 
or level up the black hog wallow prairie the farmers would 



884 The Life and Writings of 

pack them down in summer so as to have a firm level 
Macadamized road for winter. In my reply, I assured him that 
this was utterly preposterous. That he was mistaken as to the 
inherent properties of the soil, and that the farmers could 
not and would not drive their heavily loaded wagons over the 
rough clods of dirt thrown up in his "adobe road." 
But the noble citizens of Houston were so eager 
to maintain the commercial supremacy of their noble 
city, they were all carried away by his delusions 
and spent $67,000 in building his adobe road. His editorials 
abounded with other marvelous mistakes in regard to rail- 
roads. He said that it would cost between one and two hun- 
dred thousand dollars a mile to build railroads in Texas, and as 
proof of this, he got a statement from Pittsburg that it had 
cost more than that to build the Pittsburg and Ohio Railroad 
across the Alleghany mountains. I wrote to an old school- 
mate, pastor of the Baptist church at Pittsburg, and got him 
to give me a statement of how many miles of that road they 
had to tunnel through mountains and level down hills and 
mountains and what was the average cost of a road after it 
reached the Ohio River valley. My friend's reply auth- 
enticated from railroad men was a crusher. It was demon- 
strated that railroads could be built in Texas at from $15,000 
to $20,000 a mile, and that railroads never did kill a town, 
but airways multiplied the commerce and trade. But, the war 
was fierce. My part of it was a very small affair compared 
with the clashing swords of the great politicians. But my 
friends came to me and told me I was ruining myself advocat- 
ing railroads, and my dear brother, Rev. J. W. D. Creath, 
came to me yith tears, put his arms around me and told me : 
"You have no right as the president of our University and as 
one of the leading Baptist preachers of Texas to destroy your 
influence by advocating railroads. It is currently reported 
that they have given you a bribe of $5,000 to plead the cause 
of railroads. I assured him he was mistaken; that I would 
not ruin myself. That I was only toiling for my beloved 
Texas. That the burning desire of my soul was not only to 
see Texas a great Baptist state but to see it one of the grand- 
est states in wealth, in morality and intelligence on the face 
of the earth. And without railroads, Texas never could be 



Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 885 

anything but a "sheep pen and a cow ranch." Many of my 
dear old friends and brethren of Houston approached me in 
great sadness and said, "Why do you want to ruin Houston ? 
I thought as Houston was your first home in Texas and its 
people always treated you so kindly, that you would not will- 
ingly join any parties to destroy our prosperity." I assured 
them that no spot on Texas soil was dearer to me than Hous- 
ton, and that I hoped to see Houston the grand commercial 
city and railroad center of Texas. But time proves all things. 
The adobe road was built up to McCurley's Point at an ex- 
pense of $67,000. But alas, alas "the best laid schemes o' mice 
and men gang aft agley." The farmers would not pack the 
roads or rather could not and the few places they were per- 
suaded to pack wouldn't stay packed, but bogged worse than 
any part of Houston prairie. I never shall forget my last 
meeting with my early friend and late bitter antognist Dr. 
Moore. I met him about ten miles on the Houston road be- 
low Hempstead. I saw he was all excitement by the time 
I got in fifty yards of him. When I drew near with clinched 
fist he said: a Mr. Burleson, why don't you Methodist and 
Baptist preachers quit preaching the doctrine of hell fire and 
damnation and preach the gospel of common sense a little ?" 
I said: "Doctor, we preachers like to preach about some- 
thing we understand better than the people, and the people 
have got more common sense than we have." He said : "They 
haven't got a bit, they haven't got a bit, they are a perfect 
set of fools." I said : "Nay Doctor, they have more common 
sense than all the editors and preachers put together." I said : 
"What is the matter?" He vehemently replied: "Houston 
has spent $67,000 to grade up this road and now they won't 
pack it, and its worse than before it was thrown up." I said : 
"But Doctor they will pack it, if you will go with me into your 
office, I can show you a dozen places where you said they 
would pack it." I told you, "They couldn't nor wouldn't 
pack it." "Oh," he said, "I did not know they were a set of 
fools, but I am going up here to sell out some property I have, 
and I am going to leave Texas and hope never to see it again." 
But the grand men and merchant princes of Houston in 
their profound practical wisdom saw how they could correct 
their mistake. They rushed up to Austin where the legisla- 



886 The Life and Writings of 

ture was in session, and got the charter for the Houston & 
Texas Central railroad, remodeled their adobe road and put 
the ties on it and the railroad iron, and Houston has become 
the grand central railroad city of Texas and a city of which 
all Texas may justly be proud. But what I did for railroads 
was a mere wayside skirmish. The grand statesmen of Texas 
brought their wisdom and statesmenship to develop a grand 
system of railroads and while Houston and Rusk and many 
others deserve great credit, Texas should never forget what 
she owes to that clear-minded, level-headed statesman, E. M. 
Pease. He stood grandly at the helm, and guided the ship of 
state through that stormy ocean of conflict, and I deeply regret 
to find that he is not receiving the honor that his distinguished 
services demand. But like all patriots his grand reward was 
to have served his beloved country. One of the grandest 
features of our railroad system as devised by Pease, Houston, 
Rusk and their grand co-laborers is, to make railroads and free 
schools mutually build up each other. For to aid the railroads 
in their struggles while as yet the freight and travel was utterly 
insufficient to defray expenses of building railroads and run- 
ning them, the state gave them sixteen sections for every 
mile of railroad built and also loaned them $6,000.00 of the 
school fund derived from the sale of the Sante Fe territory. 
And the grand plan was that the railroad should survey their 
sixteen sections, leaving every alternate section for the free 
schools, so that the section reserved to free schools was worth 
sometimes five times more than it was before the adjoining sec- 
tion was given to the railroads. In conclusion I wish to say 
that I am very sad at heart to find the bitter prejudices in the 
hearts of many Texans against railroads or what they call rail- 
road monopoly. Every true Texan should love and cherish rail- 
roads as a great factor in making Texas one of the grandest 
states in the Union. In the meantime, I always profoundly 
regret to see railroad officials dealing rudely with private citi- 
zens. We should remember that we belong to the same great 
family, and while sometimes the railroads have done me great 
injustice, yet I shall ever cherish in my heart a profound love 
for railroads and attribute any unkindness to me as a part of 
the weakness of our human nature. 



Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 



887 



Texas is therefore the second railroad state in the Union. 
Illinois has 10,240 miles of railroad and Texas has 9,075. Ko 
doubt in five years Texas will be the grandest railroad state 
in America or the world. Texas has also the grandest provi- 
sion for public institutions from primary free schools to the 
great university, of any state or kingdom on the earth. What 
monuments shall we erect on the broad foundation laid by 
those grand pioneers for the glory of Texas ? 




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